Cubs scouting report

Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves at Turner Field

TV: Comcast SportsNet Friday; WGN Saturday and Sunday

Radio: WGN 720-AM

Pitching matchups: The Cubs’ Carlos Zambrano (9-6) vs. Mike Minor (1-2) Friday at 6:35 p.m.; Randy Wells (3-4) vs. Derek Lowe (7-10) Saturday at 6:10 p.m.; Matt Garza (5-9) vs. Brandon Beachy (5-2) Sunday at 12:35 p.m.

At a glance: This is the first meeting between the clubs this year. They’ll play at Wrigley Field Aug. 22-25. The Braves are 8½ games behind the Phillies in the NL East but own a 5-game lead over the Giants in the wild-card race. Several key Braves are on the DL: Jair Jurrjens, Brian McCann, Nate McLouth, among others. Atlanta pitching ranked fourth in the NL with a 3.37 ERA, while the Cubs were 15th, at 4.60. Dan Uggla is among the NL leaders in home runs (24) and he also owns a 31-game hitting streak. Craig Kimbrel leads in saves (36). The Cubs have seen plenty of speedy Michael Bourn from his days with the Astros. Bourn has good numbers against all of the Cubs’ starting pitchers.

Next: Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park, Monday-Wednesday

— Bruce Miles