The Atlanta Braves head to loanDepot park on Sunday, September 27, 2026, for a 3:10 PM ET matchup against the Miami Marlins in what figures to be a late-season regular season affair with implications still worth watching. Right-hander JR Ritchie gets the ball for Atlanta opposite Miami's Janson Junk. With the calendar running out on the 2026 regular season, every game carries weight — and the Braves need to show up and take care of business against a Marlins club that has been one of the weaker teams in the National League.
Probable Starters: JR Ritchie vs. Janson Junk
JR Ritchie draws the Sunday assignment for Atlanta. The young right-hander is still carving out his place in this rotation, and a late-September start on the road against Miami is a real opportunity to close out the season on a strong note. Ritchie will need to command the strike zone and keep the Marlins off the bases early — when he's doing that, he gives Atlanta a chance to win.
On the other side, Miami sends Janson Junk to the hill. Junk has bounced between the majors and minors during his career and represents a favorable matchup on paper for Atlanta's lineup. If the Braves are swinging the bats with any kind of rhythm heading into this game, this is exactly the type of start they should be looking to exploit.
Keys to Watch for the Braves
- Offense against a vulnerable arm: Facing Janson Junk, Atlanta's lineup has a chance to generate crooked numbers early. Getting into Miami's bullpen quickly should be the priority.
- Ritchie's command: The Braves' starter needs to minimize walks and avoid big innings. Clean, efficient work through five or six frames would be a win for Atlanta's pitching staff at this stage of the season.
- Late-game bullpen management: With rosters expanded in September, Atlanta has arms available. How the Braves deploy their relief options in a road environment will matter if this game is tight through the middle innings.
- Road focus: Playing out a late-season road game with nothing flashy around it requires professionalism. The Braves need to bring the same energy to loanDepot park that they would bring anywhere else.
Prediction
This is a game Atlanta should win. Junk is a serviceable arm, but he's not the kind of pitcher who shuts down a major league lineup for nine innings. If Ritchie gives the Braves five or six solid frames and the offense does its job early, Atlanta takes this one on the road. Expect the Braves to handle business and close out the series with a win. Atlanta 5, Miami 2.
Catch the game on BravesVision or listen along on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan.
