The Atlanta Braves head to Wrigley Field on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, for a 7:40 PM ET showdown against the Chicago Cubs. JR Ritchie gets the ball for Atlanta against left-hander Shota Imanaga in what shapes up as a significant pitching mismatch on paper. With the regular season winding down, every game carries weight, and the Braves need road wins to stay relevant in the standings. This one airs on BravesVision for Atlanta fans and Marquee Sports Network locally in Chicago.

Starting Pitchers: Ritchie vs. Imanaga

The biggest storyline heading into this game is the pitching matchup. Shota Imanaga has established himself as one of the more reliable starters in the National League, and the Cubs are counting on him to protect home turf late in the season. He generates weak contact and keeps hitters off-balance with his command and deception — the kind of pitcher who can make a lineup look overmatched when he is on.

On the other side, JR Ritchie gets the start for Atlanta. Ritchie is a young arm still carving out his place in the major leagues, and a road start at Wrigley Field against a seasoned Cubs lineup is a genuine test. The Braves will need him to work deep into the game and give the offense a chance to chip away at Imanaga's lead if the Cubs jump out early.

Cubs Lineup to Watch

Chicago is sending out a balanced and experienced lineup. Pete Crow-Armstrong leads off out of center field, with Seiya Suzuki batting second in right. Michael Busch slots in at first base and bats third, followed by Alex Bregman at cleanup in the three-hole — Bregman's presence in the middle of this order gives the Cubs legitimate run-scoring threat. Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, Michael Conforto, Pedro Ramírez, and Carson Kelly round out the lineup. This is a lineup that can hurt you in multiple ways, and Ritchie will need his best stuff to navigate it.

Keys to the Game for Atlanta

• Ritchie's efficiency: Keeping pitch counts manageable early is critical. If Ritchie labors through the first three or four innings, the Cubs lineup will wear him down before Atlanta's bullpen is ready.
• Cracking Imanaga: The Braves' offense needs to find a way to stay patient against a pitcher who thrives on generating early contact and weak swings. Working counts and getting into the Cubs bullpen is Atlanta's best path to runs.
• Road discipline: Wrigley Field can be an energetic environment in September. The Braves need to stay composed, limit base-running mistakes, and avoid the kind of sloppy play that hands a home team extra outs.
• Bullpen management: If Ritchie exits early, Atlanta's relievers will face the heart of Chicago's order. Having the right arms ready for Bregman, Happ, and Hoerner will matter.

Prediction

This is a tough spot for the Braves. Imanaga is the kind of starter who can carry a game on his own, and Wrigley Field in September is no place to be sending a young pitcher through growing pains. Atlanta will need to scratch runs across in whatever cracks they can find. Look for a competitive game that stays low-scoring deep into the middle innings. If the Braves offense can string together two or three runs by the sixth, they have a shot — but Imanaga makes that a steep hill to climb. Edge to Chicago, 4-2.