<img alt="Atlanta Braves v Colorado Rockies" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DnBpVywwNW8OS70zwvzXCRAeuJw=/0x0:4338x2892/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73521308/2166240393.0.jpg">
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
Grant Holmes gets another start as the Braves await the return of Reynaldo Lopez. The Atlanta Braves will be looking to secure a series win Thursday when they continue a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants. It has been a whirlwind of emotions for the Braves over the past week. They began their roadtrip by dropping two of three to the last place Colorado Rockies, a series which included a sole crushing defeat Sunday in which Atlanta allowed seven runs in the eighth to turn an 8-2 lead into a 9-8 loss.
Whether that was the low point of the season or not, the Braves entered the series in San Francisco battling several teams for the final playoff spot. A battle that included a Giants team that had won four of their last five games to close the gap in the Wild Card standings. Atlanta got a masterful performance from Chris Sale Monday and a timely sacrifice fly from Travis d’Arnaud in the 10th to pull out a 1-0 win. d’Arnaud homered and then delivered a go-ahead single in the 10th inning Tuesday night for a 4-3 win.
Which sets the stage for Wednesday where the Braves will turn to Grant Holmes, who will be making his fourth straight start. Holmes is likely to move back to the bullpen after Wednesday’s start with the expected return of Reynaldo Lopez, who completed a rehab start at Gwinnett Tuesday.
Holmes is a great story who emerged as a reliable multi-inning option out of the bullpen before he was pressed into service in the rotation. He impressed in his first start allowing one run while striking out eight over five innings against the Brewers. Things haven’t gone as smoothly over his next two outings as he has allowed eight runs combined over 9 2⁄3 innings against the Marlins and the Rockies. Holmes made a relief appearance against the Giants back in July at Truist Park where he allowed a hit and a walk over 2 2⁄3 scoreless innings.
The Giants will go with former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray who will make his fifth start of the season. Ray made just one start in 2023 before hurting his elbow which required Tommy John surgery. He was dealt to San Francisco in January and made his first start on July 24. He’s pitched pretty well of late and has shown a velocity jump back to his 2021 level, which was the year he won the Cy Young with Toronto. He allowed two runs and struck out seven over a season-high six innings in his last start against the Tigers.
The Braves will get a key piece back in their lineup with the return of Michael Harris Wednesday. Harris has been on the injured list since July 14 due to a strained hamstring. Atlanta juggled its outfield alignment in Tuesday’s win with Jorge Soler shifting over to left field with Eli White in center and Ramon Laureano in right. Laureano has had a couple of gaffs in the outfield but is hitting .270/.280/.500 with a 111 wRC+ in 29 games. He had two hits, including a homer, in Tuesday’s win. Soler was 1-for-4 with a walk in Tuesday’s win and has reached base in all 12 games he has played in since joining the Braves.
First pitch for Tuesday’s game is scheduled for 9:45 p.m. ET and can be seen on Bally Sports South.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Wednesday, August 14, 9:45 p.m. ET
Location: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California
TV: Bally Sports South
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM
<img alt="Atlanta Braves v Colorado Rockies" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DnBpVywwNW8OS70zwvzXCRAeuJw=/0x0:4338x2892/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73521308/2166240393.0.jpg">
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
Grant Holmes gets another start as the Braves await the return of Reynaldo Lopez. The Atlanta Braves will be looking to secure a series win Thursday when they continue a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants. It has been a whirlwind of emotions for the Braves over the past week. They began their roadtrip by dropping two of three to the last place Colorado Rockies, a series which included a sole crushing defeat Sunday in which Atlanta allowed seven runs in the eighth to turn an 8-2 lead into a 9-8 loss.
Whether that was the low point of the season or not, the Braves entered the series in San Francisco battling several teams for the final playoff spot. A battle that included a Giants team that had won four of their last five games to close the gap in the Wild Card standings. Atlanta got a masterful performance from Chris Sale Monday and a timely sacrifice fly from Travis d’Arnaud in the 10th to pull out a 1-0 win. d’Arnaud homered and then delivered a go-ahead single in the 10th inning Tuesday night for a 4-3 win.
Which sets the stage for Wednesday where the Braves will turn to Grant Holmes, who will be making his fourth straight start. Holmes is likely to move back to the bullpen after Wednesday’s start with the expected return of Reynaldo Lopez, who completed a rehab start at Gwinnett Tuesday.
Holmes is a great story who emerged as a reliable multi-inning option out of the bullpen before he was pressed into service in the rotation. He impressed in his first start allowing one run while striking out eight over five innings against the Brewers. Things haven’t gone as smoothly over his next two outings as he has allowed eight runs combined over 9 2⁄3 innings against the Marlins and the Rockies. Holmes made a relief appearance against the Giants back in July at Truist Park where he allowed a hit and a walk over 2 2⁄3 scoreless innings.
The Giants will go with former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray who will make his fifth start of the season. Ray made just one start in 2023 before hurting his elbow which required Tommy John surgery. He was dealt to San Francisco in January and made his first start on July 24. He’s pitched pretty well of late and has shown a velocity jump back to his 2021 level, which was the year he won the Cy Young with Toronto. He allowed two runs and struck out seven over a season-high six innings in his last start against the Tigers.
The Braves will get a key piece back in their lineup with the return of Michael Harris Wednesday. Harris has been on the injured list since July 14 due to a strained hamstring. Atlanta juggled its outfield alignment in Tuesday’s win with Jorge Soler shifting over to left field with Eli White in center and Ramon Laureano in right. Laureano has had a couple of gaffs in the outfield but is hitting .270/.280/.500 with a 111 wRC+ in 29 games. He had two hits, including a homer, in Tuesday’s win. Soler was 1-for-4 with a walk in Tuesday’s win and has reached base in all 12 games he has played in since joining the Braves.
First pitch for Tuesday’s game is scheduled for 9:45 p.m. ET and can be seen on Bally Sports South.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Wednesday, August 14, 9:45 p.m. ET
Location: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California
TV: Bally Sports South
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM
Link to original article