The Atlanta Braves return to Truist Park on Thursday, June 18, for a 7:15 PM ET showdown against the San Francisco Giants. Martín Pérez gets the ball for Atlanta against San Francisco right-hander Landen Roupp in what figures to be a compelling mid-June matchup between two clubs still grinding through the heart of the regular season. Whether you're watching on BravesVision or tuned into 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan, this is exactly the kind of home game the Braves need to control in front of their own crowd.

Pitching Matchup: Martín Pérez vs. Landen Roupp

Pérez is a veteran left-hander who brings experience and competitiveness to every start. He's the kind of pitcher who works the zone, mixes his offerings, and keeps lineups off balance rather than overpowering hitters. His effectiveness on a given night often comes down to command — when Pérez is locating his fastball and getting his changeup over for strikes, he can cruise through a lineup multiple times. The Braves need length from him Thursday. If he can deliver six-plus innings of quality work, this bullpen is capable of closing it out.

For the Giants, Landen Roupp is a young right-hander who has been carving out his place in San Francisco's rotation. He profiles as a power arm with the kind of stuff that can keep opposing lineups guessing. The Braves' lineup will need to be disciplined early, work counts, and identify his best pitches before committing. Atlanta hitters who shorten up and stay within the approach tend to do their best damage against hard-throwing starters they haven't seen often.

Keys to Watch for Atlanta

• Pérez's first-inning execution: Getting through the Giants' top of the order clean sets the tone and builds early momentum at Truist Park.
• Patience against Roupp: Working pitch counts early gives Atlanta a better look at Roupp the second and third time through the order, when the Braves offense is most dangerous.
• Capitalizing on home-field energy: Truist Park crowds have been a genuine factor this season. Atlanta needs to feed off that energy and not let the game get quiet with a flat offensive performance.
• Bullpen management: How Atlanta uses its relief arms after Pérez will be critical, especially against a Giants lineup that can make you pay for mistakes late in games.

What to Expect Thursday Night

This is a winnable game for Atlanta, and it should be treated that way. The Braves are at home, they're sending out an experienced starter, and they have the offensive firepower to put crooked numbers on the board against any pitching staff in the National League. The Giants are a legitimate ballclub — don't sleep on Roupp — but the edge here belongs to Atlanta if Pérez executes his game plan and the lineup stays disciplined through the first few innings.

First pitch is set for 7:15 PM ET at Truist Park. Catch the action on BravesVision or listen on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan.

Prediction: Braves 5, Giants 3