The Atlanta Braves welcome the Tampa Bay Rays to Truist Park on Thursday, September 10, 2026, for a 12:15 PM ET first pitch. Atlanta sends left-hander Martín Pérez to the mound against Tampa Bay's Nick Martinez in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching matchup in the heart of a September regular season slate. With the calendar deep into the stretch run, every game at home carries weight, and the Braves will look to take care of business in front of their fans in Cumberland. Coverage is available on BravesVision and locally on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan.

Braves vs. Rays Pitching Matchup: Pérez vs. Martinez

Martín Pérez gets the ball for Atlanta. A veteran left-hander with a long track record of eating innings and generating weak contact, Pérez will need to be efficient against a Tampa Bay lineup that historically makes pitchers work counts and grind through at-bats. The Rays counter with Nick Martinez, a right-hander who has carved out a role as a durable, reliable rotation piece. Neither pitcher has standout numbers available heading into this one, so execution and sequencing will be the story on the mound.

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. Lane Thomas — LF
• 7. Austin Riley — 3B
• 8. Brewer Hicklen — DH
• 9. Ha-Seong Kim — SS

Drake Baldwin leads off, an unconventional choice that puts the catcher at the top of the order ahead of Ronald Acuña Jr. hitting second. Manager Brian Snitker is clearly looking for Baldwin to set the table, with the heart of the order — Acuña, Matt Olson, and Michael Harris II — following right behind. Austin Riley slots in at seven, a sign that the lineup has enough depth to keep opposing pitchers honest even down the card.

Keys to Watch for Atlanta

Acuña and Olson Need to Make Martinez Pay

If Tampa Bay's Martinez gets into a groove, this lineup can go quiet in a hurry. The Braves need Acuña and Olson — their two most dangerous right-handed threats in the middle of the order — to force Martinez out of his comfort zone early. A big inning in the first three frames changes the entire complexion of a Thursday afternoon game.

Pérez Must Limit Traffic

The Rays are a disciplined offensive club. Pérez cannot afford to walk hitters and fall behind in counts. He's at his best when he's ahead in the count and inducing early contact. If he can work efficiently through five or six innings, Atlanta's bullpen can close it out.

Riley Bounce-Back Opportunity

Austin Riley hitting seventh is worth noting. Whether that reflects a recent stretch of struggles or simply lineup construction, Riley has the kind of raw power that can punish a mistake pitch at any point in the batting order.

Prediction

Truist Park in September, with the lineup healthy and Pérez working at home — give the edge to Atlanta. The Braves take this one, 4-2, behind a quality outing from Pérez and at least one big swing from the middle of the order.