The Atlanta Braves travel to St. Louis to take on the Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Saturday, July 11, with first pitch scheduled for 7:15 PM ET. Reynaldo López gets the start for Atlanta against Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore in what shapes up as a pivotal road matchup. The Braves are sending out a lineup that leans on familiar names — Michael Harris II, Ozzie Albies, and Matt Olson leading the charge — and a roster that has enough talent to do damage in any ballpark. Braves fans can catch the action on BravesVision or listen in on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan.

Pitching Matchup: Reynaldo López vs. Matthew Liberatore

López gets the nod for the Braves in this one. The right-hander has the stuff to work through a Cardinals lineup that is far from a pushover, featuring Jordan Walker cleanup and Lars Nootbaar in the five hole. López will need to keep the ball down and work efficiently through the middle innings if Atlanta wants to give its bullpen a breather.

On the other side, Liberatore is a left-hander who can give opposing lineups fits when he is locating his fastball and keeping hitters off balance with his secondary offerings. For a Braves lineup that features several right-handed bats, the matchup is workable — but Liberatore is capable of putting up a quality start when he is on.

Atlanta Braves Starting Lineup at St. Louis Cardinals

• 1. Michael Harris II — CF
• 2. Ozzie Albies — 2B
• 3. Matt Olson — 1B
• 4. Drake Baldwin — DH
• 5. Mauricio Dubón — LF
• 6. Austin Riley — 3B
• 7. Eli White — RF
• 8. Joey Bart — C
• 9. Jorge Mateo — SS

St. Louis Cardinals Starting Lineup

• 1. JJ Wetherholt — 2B
• 2. Iván Herrera — C
• 3. Alec Burleson — 1B
• 4. Jordan Walker — RF
• 5. Lars Nootbaar — LF
• 6. Masyn Winn — SS
• 7. Bryan Torres — DH
• 8. Blaze Jordan — 3B
• 9. Nathan Church — CF

Keys to Watch for the Braves

Matt Olson in the Middle of the Order

Olson batting third is no accident. He is the kind of presence that opposing pitchers have to navigate carefully, and how Liberatore attacks him early will set the tone for Atlanta's offensive output. If Olson gets something to drive, the Braves have the lineup depth behind him to pile on.

Austin Riley Bouncing Back

Riley is slotted sixth in this lineup, which is worth noting. He has the power to change a game at any moment, and a mid-lineup spot still gives him plenty of opportunities with runners on base. Watch how he handles Liberatore's arsenal, particularly against lefties.

López Limiting the Cardinals' Middle of the Order

Walker and Nootbaar batting four and five give St. Louis legitimate run-producing threats. López keeping those two quiet — and working around Masyn Winn's speed at the bottom of the lineup — will be the defining factor in how deep he pitches into this game.

Prediction

This one has the feel of a tight, competitive ballgame. The Cardinals at home are not a team you overlook, and Liberatore is capable enough to keep Atlanta's lineup in check for stretches. That said, the Braves have the lineup construction to find runs late if the game stays close. López pitches into the sixth, the Braves bullpen holds the line, and Harris sets the table early enough for Olson to do damage. Braves win, 4-2.