The Atlanta Braves host the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Truist Park with first pitch scheduled for 7:15 PM ET. Reynaldo López takes the ball for Atlanta against Walker Buehler, who starts for San Diego. It is a midseason home matchup that gives the Braves a chance to build momentum in front of their home crowd, with BravesVision and 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan carrying the action for Atlanta fans.

Pitching Matchup: Reynaldo López vs. Walker Buehler

Reynaldo López gets the start for the Braves. López has established himself as a legitimate rotation piece, and his ability to generate soft contact and miss bats will be central to Atlanta's chances of keeping San Diego's lineup in check. How deep he can go into the game and the quality of his stuff on the night are the first things to watch.

Walker Buehler takes the hill for the Padres. Buehler is a veteran with postseason experience and the ability to work through a lineup multiple times when he is on. Atlanta's lineup will need to work counts against him and look for opportunities to do damage in the middle innings before the Padres can turn to their bullpen.

Atlanta Braves Starting Lineup

• 1. Drake Baldwin — C
• 2. Ozzie Albies — 2B
• 3. Matt Olson — 1B
• 4. Austin Riley — 3B
• 5. Michael Harris II — CF
• 6. Mauricio Dubón — LF
• 7. Mike Yastrzemski — DH
• 8. Brewer Hicklen — RF
• 9. Jim Jarvis — SS

Keys to Watch for the Braves

Middle of the Order Must Produce

Matt Olson, Austin Riley, and Michael Harris II form the heart of this lineup. Buehler is capable of keeping hitters off-balance, but if the Braves are going to put runs on the board early, those three need to be the drivers. Any sign of trouble from Buehler — elevated pitch counts, command issues — and Atlanta's middle of the order has to make him pay.

Drake Baldwin Leading Off

Baldwin drawing the leadoff spot is worth noting. Getting on base at the top of the order sets the table for Ozzie Albies and the rest of the lineup. His ability to work a count and reach base will directly influence how many opportunities the Braves create against Buehler in the early innings.

López Setting the Tone Early

The Padres are a disciplined offensive club, and López will need to establish his best stuff from the first inning. Giving San Diego a crooked number early would put Atlanta in a tough position. Keep an eye on how López handles the top of their order and whether he can carry his effectiveness into the later innings.

Prediction

Truist Park gives the Braves a genuine home-field edge, and this lineup has enough firepower to keep pressure on Buehler throughout the night. If López delivers a quality start — six innings, three runs or fewer — Atlanta has the offense to win this game. The Braves take it, 4–2, in a tight, well-pitched ballgame that goes to the later innings before Atlanta pulls away.