CHICAGO -- If there's any question about his first-place team, Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon says it has to do with its untested relief corps.

The answer had to wait at least a day after the Cubs' scheduled game Saturday against the Atlanta Braves was postponed because of rain. While no makeup date was immediately announced, the game likely will be rescheduled for July 7, the day before the Braves open a series against the White Sox in Chicago. The Cubs also are off that day.

"The biggest thing for me is defining the bullpen," Maddon said of his to-do list.

Cubs relievers own the lowest opponents' batting average (.179) in the National League, but their 53 innings are the fewest as well. Only Pedro Strop has pitched more than eight innings.

"More than anything, it's about the bullpen," Maddon said. "The bullpen has not been by any means overtaxed during the first month of the season. We talked about that in spring training. We talked about it every year, not overworking the bullpen in the first month. So they've not been tested a whole lot."

Overall, Chicago leads the NL with a 2.30 ERA.

"The starters, they've just done a really wonderful job," Maddon said. "A couple guys have had a couple blips, but for the most part, you can't ask for a better month out of the entire group, starting and relieving."

Because of the rainout, Maddon elected to push back the rotation one day. John Lackey will start on Sunday, while Kyle Hendricks will make his next appearance on eight days of rest on Thursday, when the Cubs meet the Washington Nationals to open a 10-game homestand.

"Kyle is fine. He doesn't need any extra time," Maddon said. "It's just something we chose to do. Actually, on paper, he matches up well against Washington also."

FAST AND LOOSE

Maddon revealed his next creative venture for the team, a Minimalist Zany Suit Trip to Pittsburgh, where it opens a three-game series on Monday.

"I saw this website with some cool suits, different," Maddon explained. "Mine will feature tulips. If you're at any time without part of your suit, it's a hundred-dollar fine, unless you're working out. ... Part of it is that we never get dressed up. If we're going to dress up, I don't want it to be a conventional suit. That was my premise. Then I found these."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Braves: INF Gordon Beckham is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. He is eligible to return on Monday.

Cubs: 3B/OF Kris Bryant (sprained ankle) will be available to start the series finale. "He's doing really well this morning," Maddon said. "We'll wait to see what tomorrow looks like. I'll debate whether to play him or not, If he doesn't start, he'll be able to come off the bench."

UP NEXT

Lackey (3-1, 4.97) has a 1-1 record and 2.76 ERA in three career starts against Atlanta.

The Braves will send RHP Julio Teheran (0-3, 4.60) to the mound. They won all five of his career starts against Chicago.