The Chicago Cubs host the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 PM ET. Shota Imanaga gets the ball for Chicago opposite Atlanta's JR Ritchie in what shapes up as a compelling late-September regular season matchup. With the ivy on the walls and the Wrigley faithful packed in, this is exactly the kind of game the Cubs need to take care of business at home. Coverage is available on Marquee Sports Network, 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan, and 104.3 The Score.

Pitching Matchup: Imanaga vs. Ritchie

Shota Imanaga anchors the Cubs' rotation and gets the start Wednesday night. The left-hander has been one of Chicago's most reliable arms this season, and his ability to generate weak contact and work through lineups efficiently will be tested against an Atlanta club that can put together quality at-bats. On the other side, Atlanta sends JR Ritchie to the mound. The young right-hander represents a degree of unknown for the Cubs lineup, which is both a challenge and an opportunity — Chicago hitters will need to stay patient early and force Ritchie to work deep into counts.

Cubs Starting Lineup for Wednesday Night

• 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

Keys to Watch Wednesday Night

Pete Crow-Armstrong Setting the Table

PCA leads off and sets the tone for everything that follows. His ability to get on base, create chaos on the basepaths, and cover center field at Wrigley makes him the engine of this lineup. If he's working counts and making things happen, this offense tends to click.

Alex Bregman in the Cleanup Spot

Batting fourth, Bregman is tasked with driving in runs when Crow-Armstrong, Suzuki, and Busch do their jobs ahead of him. Bregman's experience and discipline at the plate are exactly what you want in that spot against a pitcher like Ritchie, who may be feeling the weight of a late-September road start.

Imanaga Limiting Damage in the Middle of Atlanta's Order

The Braves are capable of stringing together hits and putting up crooked numbers in a hurry. Imanaga's command will be the deciding factor. If he can minimize walks and keep the ball off the barrel in critical moments, Chicago should be in a strong position heading into the late innings.

Depth at the Bottom of the Order

Michael Conforto, Pedro Ramírez, and Carson Kelly batting seventh through ninth gives this lineup a legitimate bottom third. Runs that start with that group and cycle back to the top can change a game in a hurry. Don't overlook that stretch when evaluating how Wednesday night unfolds.

Prediction

Imanaga is the clear pitching advantage in this matchup, and the Cubs lineup has enough professional hitters to get to a young starter on the road in a loud Wrigley environment. Chicago takes this one. Cubs win, 4–2.