The Atlanta Braves head to Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, September 6 for a 1:10 PM ET afternoon showdown against the Philadelphia Phillies. Tyler Mahle gets the ball for Atlanta against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola in what shapes up as a meaningful late-season regular season contest between two National League clubs that know how to beat each other. The game airs on NBC/Peacock nationally and on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan for Braves radio listeners.

Pitching Matchup: Mahle vs. Nola at Citizens Bank Park

Tyler Mahle draws the start for Atlanta in a road environment that has historically chewed up visiting pitching staffs. Citizens Bank Park plays big offensively, and Nola is a pitcher who has made a career out of working deep into games with a full arsenal. Mahle will need to keep the Philadelphia lineup off-balance early and limit the damage Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner can do in a hitter-friendly ballpark.

Aaron Nola is as consistent a veteran starter as you will find in the National League. He attacks the zone, generates ground balls, and rarely beats himself with walks. The Braves will need patient at-bats and loud contact to get to him before the Phillies bullpen takes over.

Atlanta Braves Starting Lineup

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

Philadelphia Phillies Starting Lineup

• Kyle Schwarber, DH
• Trea Turner, SS
• Bryce Harper, RF
• Luis Arraez, 2B
• Alec Bohm, 1B
• Bryson Stott, 3B
• Brandon Marsh, LF
• Justin Crawford, CF
• Garrett Stubbs, C

Keys to Watch for Atlanta

Ronald Acuña Jr. Sets the Table

With Acuña batting second behind Drake Baldwin, the Braves are stacking the top of the order with weapons. If Baldwin can get on base and Acuña does damage early, it puts pressure on Nola from pitch one. Acuña's presence in the lineup changes how opposing pitchers approach the entire lineup that follows.

Matt Olson and the Middle of the Order Must Produce

Olson hitting third with Michael Harris II behind him gives Atlanta a legitimate run-scoring nucleus. Citizens Bank Park does not punish power hitters, and Olson is capable of doing serious damage in this environment. The Braves will go as far as those bats take them on Sunday.

Mahle's First-Inning Command

Nola rarely gives you free baserunners, so Atlanta cannot afford to spot the Phillies early runs. Mahle needs to navigate the top of Philadelphia's order — Schwarber, Turner, Harper — with clean early innings. A crooked number in the first or second inning against this lineup becomes very difficult to erase.

Prediction

This is a tough road assignment. The Phillies lineup is deep from top to bottom, Nola is one of the more reliable starters in the league, and Citizens Bank Park historically favors the home side. That said, Atlanta has the firepower to hang with anyone when Acuña, Olson, and Harris are clicking. Expect a competitive game that comes down to the back end of both bullpens. Lean Phillies 4, Braves 3, but Atlanta is absolutely capable of stealing this one if Mahle delivers a quality start.