Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves have done a lot of winning with third baseman Chipper Jones in the lineup, but this year one thing that has eluded them are road wins. Jones, ailing from a sore groin could miss the Braves series finale on Wednesday afternoon in Chicago as they try to win a road series for the first time in nearly two months.

Atlanta is 6-8 in games not started by Jones this season, and while his status for Wednesday is uncertain, he does not expect to be out more than two games. Jones is hitting .292 with nine homers and 40 RBIs.

The Atlanta Braves (40-43) certainly lacked offense without Jones in the lineup on Tuesday, but received a masterful pitching effort from Javier Vazquez, who went seven innings of strong five hit, one-run ball.

No matter how great the pitching staff is, not many can put back-to-back solid contests together in Wrigley Field, however Kenshin Kawakami (4-6, 4.46) will give it a go, looking to improve after his last start when he allowed five runs, four earned, on six hits in 4 1/3 innings. Kawakami picked up a no-decision as the Braves rallied to win 9-8 against the Washington Nationals on July 3.

He also received a no-decision, but pitched while against the Chicago Cubs (41-40) back on June 2, when he allowed three runs in a 6-5 Atlanta 12 inning loss.

Chicago will counter with Kevin Hart (0-0, 1.59) making his first career start in a strange couple of days that saw the right-hander be optioned to AAA Iowa, before being recalled to the Chicago Cubs to get the start for Carlos Zambrano, who was moved up in the rotation to take the place of Ryan Dempster on Tuesday.

Dempster suffered a fractured toe after a post-game celebration in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend. The victory will be costly for Chicago as Dempster could miss up to a month after being placed on the disabled list.

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