The Atlanta Braves travel to Chicago for a Tuesday night matchup against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, with first pitch set for 7:40 PM ET. Martín Pérez takes the ball for Atlanta opposite Kevin Gausman for Chicago in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching duel deep into the regular season. With September in full swing and every game carrying added weight in the standings, this is exactly the kind of road test that separates playoff-caliber rosters from the rest of the pack. Watch it on BravesVision or catch the radio call on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan.

Probable Pitchers: Martín Pérez vs. Kevin Gausman

Pérez draws the assignment for Atlanta in what is a significant regular-season start. He will need to work efficiently against a Cubs lineup that has some real pop in the middle of the order. Gausman, a veteran right-hander with a well-established track record, anchors the Cubs rotation and figures to give Atlanta's offense a stiff challenge. The Braves will need to be patient and work counts if they want to get into the Chicago bullpen early.

Atlanta Braves Lineup at Wrigley Field

• Drake Baldwin, C
• Ronald Acuña Jr., DH
• Matt Olson, 1B
• Michael Harris II, CF
• Mauricio Dubón, SS
• Austin Riley, 3B
• Mike Yastrzemski, LF
• Ozzie Albies, 2B
• Brewer Hicklen, RF

Chicago Cubs Lineup

• Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
• Seiya Suzuki, RF
• Alex Bregman, 3B
• Tyrone Taylor, LF
• Nico Hoerner, SS
• Michael Busch, 1B
• Matt Shaw, DH
• Pedro Ramírez, 2B
• Miguel Amaya, C

Keys to Watch for the Braves

Acuña Jr. Hitting in the Two Hole

Ronald Acuña Jr. sliding into the two spot in the order is worth monitoring closely. Slotted behind Drake Baldwin and directly in front of Matt Olson, Acuña in that position puts pressure on the Cubs defense from the very first inning. If Baldwin can reach base, Chicago will immediately face one of the most dangerous hitters in the game with a man on.

Olson and Riley Need to Produce in the Middle

Matt Olson at third in the order and Austin Riley at sixth give Atlanta a legitimate power presence on both sides of the lineup. Against Gausman, who can be tough to square up, the Braves will need their corner bats to capitalize when opportunities arise. A quiet night from Olson and Riley makes Atlanta's path to runs considerably harder.

Pérez Keeping the Cubs' Top of the Order in Check

Pete Crow-Armstrong leading off for Chicago, followed by Seiya Suzuki and Alex Bregman, means Pérez faces a legitimate challenge right from the jump. Bregman batting third gives the Cubs middle-of-the-order production early in the lineup. Pérez limiting damage in the first two innings will set the tone for how long he stays in this game.

Prediction

This one figures to be close. Gausman is a difficult assignment for any road lineup, and Pérez will need to match him pitch for pitch to keep Atlanta in it. The Braves have the lineup depth to manufacture a lead if they can get Gausman out of the game by the sixth or seventh inning. Expect a competitive, low-scoring affair. Give the edge to Atlanta if Acuña and Olson come through in the middle innings — Braves 4, Cubs 3.