The Chicago Cubs welcome the Atlanta Braves to Wrigley Field on Monday, September 14, for a 7:40 PM ET first pitch that carries genuine weight down the stretch of the regular season. David Peterson gets the ball for Chicago against Reynaldo López, who takes the mound for Atlanta. With a lineup featuring Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Ozzie Albies, the Braves bring one of the more dangerous offensive units the Cubs will face all year. This one matters, and Wrigley Field is the right stage for it.

Cubs vs. Braves Starting Pitchers: Peterson vs. López

David Peterson draws the assignment for the Cubs. Peterson is a left-handed starter who relies on sequencing and command to work through lineups — qualities he will need against a Braves order that can punish any mistake. Reynaldo López counters for Atlanta. López has developed into a dependable arm, and this matchup shapes up as a competitive, pitcher-friendly contest if both starters execute their gameplans.

Chicago Cubs Starting Lineup

• 1. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
• 2. Seiya Suzuki, RF
• 3. Michael Busch, 1B
• 4. Alex Bregman, 3B
• 5. Ian Happ, LF
• 6. Nico Hoerner, SS
• 7. Michael Conforto, DH
• 8. Pedro Ramírez, 2B
• 9. Carson Kelly, C

Atlanta Braves Starting Lineup

• 1. Ronald Acuña Jr., RF
• 2. Drake Baldwin, DH
• 3. Matt Olson, 1B
• 4. Ozzie Albies, 2B
• 5. Michael Harris II, CF
• 6. Mauricio Dubón, LF
• 7. Austin Riley, 3B
• 8. Sean Murphy, C
• 9. Ha-Seong Kim, SS

Keys to Watch in Monday's Game

Can Peterson Navigate the Heart of the Braves Order?

The third and fourth spots — Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies — are where Peterson's night will be defined. Olson is a disciplined slugger who punishes pitchers who miss over the plate. Albies brings speed and pop from the right side. Peterson must work ahead in counts and keep the ball down to avoid crooked numbers early.

Acuña Jr. Sets the Tone

Ronald Acuña Jr. leads off for Atlanta, and for good reason — when he gets on base, the entire Braves offense operates at a different level. The Cubs' defense, led by Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field, will need to be sharp. Any baserunning pressure Acuña generates changes how Peterson pitches to the rest of the lineup.

The Cubs' Middle of the Order Needs to Produce

Michael Busch, Alex Bregman, and Ian Happ represent Chicago's best chance to do damage against López. Bregman's plate discipline is a particular asset — if he works counts and gets on base, it creates opportunities for Happ and the rest of the lineup. A quiet night from this trio makes winning very difficult.

Bullpen Management in a Close Game

September games between quality opponents often come down to the seventh inning and beyond. How Craig Counsell deploys his bullpen after Peterson exits will likely determine the outcome as much as anything that happens in the first five frames.

Prediction: Cubs 4, Braves 3

This figures to be a tight, low-scoring game at Wrigley. The Cubs get enough production from Bregman and Suzuki in the middle innings, and Peterson keeps Atlanta's lineup manageable through five or six innings. Home field and a raucous Wrigley crowd make the difference in a one-run game. Cubs win it late.