The San Diego Padres return to Petco Park on Monday, August 24, to host the Pittsburgh Pirates in a regular season matchup with first pitch set for 9:40 PM ET. Robbie Ray takes the ball for San Diego against Pittsburgh's Braxton Ashcraft. With Fernando Tatis Jr. leading off and the heart of the Padres order — Manny Machado batting third, Ty France fourth — lined up behind him, San Diego has the offensive firepower to make life difficult for a young Pirates starter. This one is a chance for the Padres to take care of business at home.

Pitching Matchup: Robbie Ray vs. Braxton Ashcraft

Robbie Ray is the story on the mound for San Diego. The left-hander gets the start and will be tested by a Pittsburgh lineup that features legitimate middle-of-the-order threats despite the Pirates' standing as a club still building toward contention. Ray's ability to generate swing-and-miss with his fastball-slider combination will be central to how this game unfolds.

Ashcraft draws the assignment for Pittsburgh. The right-hander is a young arm in the Pittsburgh system who will be facing a San Diego lineup that is experienced and deep. Ashcraft will need to mix his pitches effectively and work efficiently to keep the Padres offense from breaking the game open early.

San Diego Padres Starting Lineup

• Fernando Tatis Jr. — RF
• Jake Cronenworth — 2B
• Manny Machado — 3B
• Ty France — 1B
• Jackson Merrill — CF
• Xander Bogaerts — SS
• Gavin Sheets — DH
• Freddy Fermin — C
• Dustin Harris — LF

Pittsburgh Pirates Starting Lineup

• Nick Gonzales — DH
• Esmerlyn Valdez — RF
• Bryan Reynolds — LF
• Oneil Cruz — CF
• Rafael Flores Jr. — C
• Brandon Lowe — 2B
• Nick Yorke — 3B
• Spencer Horwitz — 1B
• Jared Triolo — SS

Keys to Watch

Tatis Jr. Sets the Tone at the Top

Fernando Tatis Jr. leading off is San Diego's engine. If he gets on base early and puts pressure on Ashcraft, the Padres can do real damage with Cronenworth and Machado following. The Pirates will need to keep Tatis quiet to stay competitive.

Oneil Cruz Is the Threat Pittsburgh Needs

Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz in the three and four spots give Pittsburgh genuine run-scoring potential. Cruz in particular has the raw power to change a game with one swing. Ray cannot afford to give him a pitch to drive.

Petco Park's Late Start

A 9:40 PM ET first pitch means this game stretches late on the West Coast. Bullpen management will matter if either starter runs into trouble early — both dugouts will need to be sharp about when to pull their guy.

Prediction

San Diego wins this one at home. Ray has the experience edge over Ashcraft, and the Padres lineup is built to punish mistakes from a young starter still finding his footing at the major league level. Expect Tatis Jr. and Machado to make noise, and Petco Park to be the backdrop for a comfortable San Diego victory. Padres 5, Pirates 2.