Chris Sale gets the ball for the loaded Braves on Thursday when they face the Cubs. Getty Images On Thursday night, Chris Sale takes the mound for the Braves in what should be one of the more competitive matchups on the day against the Cubs. Both teams sit atop their respective divisions as one of the few true challengers in the National League to the vaunted Dodgers. The early lines have the Braves as slight favorites on Thursday with a first pitch slated for 7:10 p.m. Eastern. Sale has continued to be a stud for the Braves since his departure from the Red Sox, winning an NL Cy Young Award in 2024 and dominating again to start this season, with a 6-2 record and 2.20 ERA through eight starts. He will match up with reliever-turned-starter Ben Brown, who has been rock-solid this season and has been showing some prowess. Brown pitched four innings in his first start last week on three days’ rest, giving up no hits and striking out three. On the season, Brown is 1-1 with a 1.82 ERA in 29 ⅔ innings pitched.…