Grant Holmes is back in the starting rotation for the Braves, even though the team hoped he would move to the bullpen by now. That shift never happened, and now he faces the Miami Marlins to start a new series at Truist Park. According to Battery Power, the team had wanted Holmes to become a long-relief option, but that plan did not come to pass. This decision puts the burden of setting the tone squarely on his shoulders as the series begins.
The Recent Struggle on the Mound
Holmes has not pitched six full innings since June 3, which is a worry for a starter. His last outing on July 30 against the Washington Nationals was rough, as he allowed five hits and three solo home runs in just 4.2 innings. He did have a great game against the Pirates on July 8 where he gave up only three hits and no runs, but that was weeks ago. The numbers show he is looking to bounce back from a bad start that ended his recent run of solid work. Battery Power reported that his best performance came in early July, but the most recent one was his worst.
The Marlins have specific hitters who struggle against him, but they also have a history of taking him deep. Xavier Edwards is 1-for-8 against Holmes, while Kyle Stowers has gone 0-for-6. Even with those stats, the Marlins are a dangerous team sitting just two games behind the Phillies and Diamondbacks for a Wild Card spot. They are tied with San Diego and are ready to cause chaos at Truist Park. The Braves are riding a five-game win streak, so they need Holmes to keep that momentum alive against a tough opponent. That story connects to Grant Holmes Faces Nationals’ Elite Offense in Atlanta.
A Tough Matchup Against Ryan Gusto
The Marlins will counter with right-hander Ryan Gusto, who has a 5.31 ERA and a record of 0-2 this season. Gusto has split his time between starting and relieving, making eight outings as a starter and five as a reliever. On July 29 versus Philadelphia, he delivered his longest start of the year, pitching five innings while surrendering nine hits and six earned runs. Battery Power noted that he was tagged for three and nine earned runs in two previous starts against the Braves last August. Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II have the most at-bats against him, and both Albies and Matt Olson have homered off him.
With the trade deadline past and no new pitchers added, the Braves must find their answers from within the current roster. The team is now focused on the final 50 games of the regular season with a clear goal in mind. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 4, at Truist Park in Atlanta. The game will air on BravesVision and Gray TV, with radio coverage on 680 AM and 93.7 FM. Fans can also stream the action on MLB.tv to see if Holmes can finally hit the six-inning mark.
