The Atlanta Braves return to Truist Park on Thursday, August 6 to host the Miami Marlins in a 7:15 PM ET first pitch. Atlanta will hand the ball to left-hander Martín Pérez against Miami's Janson Junk in what amounts to a divisional opportunity the Braves cannot afford to let slip. With the NL East picture always in flux this deep into August, home games against a Marlins club that has historically struggled to beat Atlanta's starters matter — every win in the standings counts the same whether it comes against a contender or a division rival scraping for relevance.

Probable Pitchers: Martín Pérez vs. Janson Junk

Martín Pérez gets the nod for Atlanta. Pérez is a crafty veteran who works off soft contact and keeps hitters off-balance with his delivery and pitch mix. He is not a strikeout-heavy arm, which means Atlanta's defense will need to be sharp behind him from the first inning on. For Miami, Janson Junk takes the mound — a right-hander who has carved out a big-league role by throwing strikes and limiting walks. Neither pitcher's current ERA or record is available for this matchup, so the on-field performance Thursday will be the story to watch rather than any number on paper.

Atlanta Braves Starting Lineup

• 1. Drake Baldwin — C
• 2. Ronald Acuña Jr. — RF
• 3. Matt Olson — 1B
• 4. Michael Harris II — CF
• 5. Mauricio Dubón — 2B
• 6. Mike Yastrzemski — LF
• 7. Dominic Smith — DH
• 8. Austin Riley — 3B
• 9. Jim Jarvis — SS

Keys to Watch

Drake Baldwin Leading Off

It is worth noting that Drake Baldwin — the catcher — is hitting leadoff for Atlanta. That is an unconventional lineup construction, and it puts a spotlight on what Baldwin can do at the top of the order setting the table for Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson to follow. If Baldwin gets on base, Atlanta's middle of the order becomes a genuine threat immediately.

Acuña, Olson, and Harris in the Heart of the Order

Ronald Acuña Jr. at two, Matt Olson at three, and Michael Harris II hitting cleanup gives Atlanta as dangerous a 2-3-4 stretch as any lineup in the National League. Against a pitcher like Junk, who must throw strikes to be effective, the Braves' power threats will be looking to punish anything left over the middle of the plate. Olson and Harris in particular are capable of changing a game with a single swing.

Austin Riley at Eight

Austin Riley hitting eighth is notable. Whether that reflects a current stretch of performance or a deliberate lineup construction choice, it puts Riley in a position to drive in runs with two outs and the lineup cycling through. Do not sleep on that spot — Riley has the bat to make any pitcher pay regardless of where he sits in the order.

Prediction

Atlanta holds the home-field edge and has the more proven lineup top to bottom. If Pérez can navigate five or six innings and keep Miami's offense off the board early, the Braves' lineup should generate enough offense against Junk to get the win. Look for the Braves to take this one at Truist Park, 5–2.

Catch the game on BravesVision on TV or on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan on radio.