The Braves and Cubs opened a series at Wrigley Field on Monday, September 14. Reynaldo Lopez was the starting pitcher for Atlanta in the opener. First pitch was scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Central Time. The game continued a September gauntlet for the Braves.
MLB and team sites shared previews for the matchup. Betting outlets offered odds and predictions for the game. Fox Sports tracked live scoring for the contest. Cubs coverage said the team caught a break in the pitching matchup during a difficult series. The pitching matchup was a key storyline before the opener. The game looked like another big test for Atlanta.