The Atlanta Braves host the Miami Marlins at Truist Park on Wednesday, August 5, with first pitch scheduled for 7:15 PM ET. Bryce Elder takes the ball for Atlanta against Miami right-hander Eury Pérez in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching matchup between two arms who have faced each other's division foes all season long. With the NL East standings always in flux this time of year, no divisional game is a throwaway — and the Braves have the lineup construction tonight to make things uncomfortable for a young Marlins staff.

Braves vs. Marlins Pitching Matchup: Bryce Elder vs. Eury Pérez

Bryce Elder gets the nod for Atlanta. The right-hander has carved out a role in this rotation by pounding the strike zone and generating soft contact — he's not a swing-and-miss weapon, but he's capable of keeping the Braves in ballgames when his command is sharp. Tonight he'll need to be precise against a Marlins lineup that can be streaky but dangerous.

On the other side, Eury Pérez is one of the more electric young arms in the National League. The 22-year-old Marlins right-hander has the kind of stuff — a high-spin fastball and a slider with genuine bite — that can dominate lineups when he's locked in. Atlanta's order will need to be patient and work counts early if they're going to get to Pérez before Miami's bullpen takes over.

Atlanta Braves Starting Lineup for August 5

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

Keys to Watch at Truist Park Tonight

Can the Middle of the Order Solve Pérez?

Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Michael Harris II form as dangerous a three-four-five stretch as any in the NL East. Pérez is talented enough to work through premium lineups, but if Acuña gets on base early, Atlanta's ability to string together damage in the middle innings becomes a real problem for Miami. Olson in particular is the kind of disciplined hitter who will find a way to work a quality at-bat against a pitcher who is still refining his command.

Elder's Command in the Early Innings

Elder lives and dies by his ability to establish his fastball and get weak contact on the ground. If he's leaking pitches early and falling behind hitters, the Marlins will make him pay. Conversely, if he's hitting his spots and keeping the ball down in the zone, he has the profile to go deep into this game and preserve Atlanta's bullpen.

Austin Riley Batting Eighth

Riley's placement at eighth in the order is worth noting. Whether that's a strategic rest-of-season decision or a reflection of current production, it means Sean Murphy and the top of the order will see plenty of run-scoring opportunities behind him. Don't be surprised if Riley's spot in the lineup creates some interesting late-inning situations.

Prediction: Braves Win a Competitive Game, 4-2

This one has the feel of a low-scoring, pitching-driven ballgame early. Pérez will keep Atlanta honest for four or five innings, but the Braves lineup has too much firepower to be held down for nine. Elder needs to give Atlanta five solid innings, and if he does, the home crowd at Truist Park should see a satisfying divisional win. Braves take it 4-2. Catch the action on BravesVision or listen live on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan.