The Atlanta Braves make the trip to Citi Field on Monday, July 27, for a 7:10 PM ET showdown against the New York Mets. Martín Pérez gets the ball for Atlanta, squaring off against New York's Zac Thornton in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching matchup between two arms with something to prove. The game airs on BravesVision and SNY, with radio coverage on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan for Braves fans tuning in from Atlanta.

Pitching Matchup: Martín Pérez vs. Zac Thornton

Pérez draws the start for the Braves and will need to keep a loaded Mets lineup at bay in a hostile road environment. The veteran left-hander has shown throughout his career that he can work efficiently when his command is on — Monday night, that command will be everything. Facing a Mets order that features Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette, and Luis Robert Jr. in the heart of it, Pérez cannot afford to fall behind in counts and let New York's bats do damage.

Thornton counters for the Mets. The Braves will be getting a read on him as they work through this lineup, and Atlanta's offensive core is exactly the kind of group capable of making a pitcher uncomfortable early.

Atlanta Braves Lineup to Watch

Manager Brian Snitker has constructed a lineup Monday that puts the pressure on New York from the jump. Ronald Acuña Jr. leads off from right field — when Acuña is on base, the entire complexion of an inning changes. Drake Baldwin slots in at DH batting second, followed by Matt Olson at first base and Ozzie Albies at second batting fourth. That one-through-four combination has legitimate damage potential against any starter.

• Ronald Acuña Jr. (RF, 1) — The table-setter Atlanta's offense runs through
• Drake Baldwin (DH, 2) — Provides lineup continuity behind Acuña
• Matt Olson (1B, 3) — Power threat who punishes pitchers who miss over the plate
• Ozzie Albies (2B, 4) — Dangerous in run-producing situations
• Michael Harris II (CF, 5) — Brings athleticism and pop to the middle of the order
• Mauricio Dubón (LF, 6) — Versatile bat who can do damage situationally
• Austin Riley (3B, 7) — The position in the order undersells his threat level
• Joey Bart (C, 8) — Handles the backstop duties with Pérez on the hill
• Jim Jarvis (SS, 9) — Young shortstop gets a look at the nine-hole

Keys to the Game for Atlanta

• Pérez and early command: If the veteran can establish his fastball and work ahead in counts, he limits the damage a lineup like New York's can do. Falling behind early against Lindor, Bichette, and Robert is a recipe for a long night.
• Acuña on base: It sounds simple, but the Braves are a different team when their leadoff man is reaching. His presence disrupts pitchers and creates opportunities that change how the rest of the order operates.
• Capitalize against an unknown: Thornton is a less established name. Atlanta's experienced lineup — Olson, Albies, Harris, Riley — needs to do damage before the Mets can go to the bullpen and settle things down.
• Riley's bat waking up: Batting seventh may signal a quiet stretch for the third baseman, but Riley has the capability to break a game open at any moment. A big at-bat from him late could be the difference.

Prediction

The Mets lineup is legitimate — Lindor and Robert in the same order demands respect — but the Braves have the offensive firepower to match them swing for swing. The pivotal factor is Pérez. If he gives Atlanta five or six quality innings and keeps the Mets off the board in the early frames, this Braves offense has more than enough to get the job done on the road. Call it Braves 5, Mets 3, with Acuña and Olson doing the heavy lifting.