The Atlanta Braves travel to Chicago for a Wednesday night showdown at Wrigley Field, with first pitch set for 7:40 PM ET on September 16, 2026. Atlanta will send right-hander JR Ritchie to the mound to face Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga in what shapes up as a pitching-heavy matchup late in the regular season. With playoff positioning still a factor this time of year, every game in September carries weight, and the Braves can't afford to give one away on the road against a Cubs club that plays well at home.
Braves at Cubs: Wednesday September 16, 2026 Game Preview
Wrigley Field is one of baseball's toughest road environments, and Chicago's Shota Imanaga makes it even harder. The Japanese southpaw has been one of the Cubs' most reliable starters since arriving in the majors, and Atlanta's hitters will need to be disciplined and patient against his arsenal. Imanaga's ability to command multiple pitches and keep lineups off-balance makes him a genuine threat, regardless of where the Braves stand in the standings.
Pitching Matchup: JR Ritchie vs. Shota Imanaga
For Atlanta, JR Ritchie gets the ball. The young right-hander has been part of the Braves' pitching rotation and this start at Wrigley represents exactly the kind of opportunity a developing arm needs to seize down the stretch. Road starts in September against quality lineups are measuring-stick moments. How Ritchie handles the Wrigley crowd and a Cubs offense that can do damage will tell us something real about where he stands heading into the offseason.
Keys to Watch for the Atlanta Braves
- Ritchie's command early: If he falls behind hitters in the first two innings at Wrigley, the Cubs crowd gets loud fast. Getting ahead in counts is critical.
- Approach against Imanaga: Atlanta's lineup cannot chase. Imanaga works both sides of the plate and punishes aggressive hitters. Patient at-bats and working deep into counts give the Braves their best shot at getting to the Cubs bullpen.
- Bullpen readiness: With Ritchie's workload and pitch count uncertain, the Atlanta bullpen needs to be sharp and ready to bridge innings if the starter exits before the sixth.
- Situational hitting: Wrigley can play either way depending on the wind, but the Braves need to execute with runners in scoring position and avoid leaving runs on the base paths.
Prediction
This one figures to be a low-scoring affair. Imanaga is too good to give up a crooked number early, and if Ritchie settles in, both starters could keep this game tight through the middle innings. The edge goes to Chicago at home with Imanaga on the mound, but the Braves have enough in the lineup to steal this one if they work counts and get timely hits. Expect a one-run game. Cubs 3, Braves 2 — but Atlanta is absolutely capable of flipping that script.
Catch the game on BravesVision or tune in on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan if you're driving home from work.
