After a remarkable seven-game winning streak, which included a sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Atlanta Braves have hit a rough patch, dropping two consecutive games against teams they were expected to defeat. With the Philadelphia Phillies closely trailing in the standings, the Braves find themselves in urgent need of a victory. Today's matchup against the Washington Nationals presents an opportunity for the Braves to regain their momentum.
Grant Holmes, who has been a solid contributor to the Braves' pitching staff this season, will take the mound for the third time against the Nationals. In his first appearance against Washington in late May, Holmes pitched five innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits while striking out a season-high ten batters. However, his second outing against them at the end of July was less successful, as he lasted only 4.2 innings, giving up three earned runs, including three home runs, and striking out just four batters.
As Holmes prepares for this crucial game, he will need to be cautious of several Nationals hitters who have found success against him. Jorbit Vivas and Dylan Crews each have a home run against Holmes in just six at-bats, while Daylen Lile has hit two home runs in four at-bats. This history could create a challenging scenario for Holmes if these players continue their success at the plate.
Overall, Holmes has been a reliable asset for the Braves this season, boasting a 3.71 ERA over 128.2 innings pitched. If he can manage to pitch six innings today, it would significantly benefit the Braves' bullpen, which has faced heavy usage in recent games.
On the opposing side, Brad Lord will be pitching for the Nationals. His performance this season has been one of the few bright spots for Washington, as he holds a 3.75 ERA across 69.2 innings. However, his underlying metrics suggest he may have been somewhat fortunate, with a strikeout rate of only 21.5 percent and a walk rate of 9.4 percent, leading to an expected ERA (xERA) of 4.12.
Lord has faced the Braves twice already this season, with his first outing in April resulting in 2.2 innings of relief where he allowed one run on two hits. In his second outing in late May, he pitched three scoreless innings, striking out three batters. Despite his effectiveness, Lord's role has primarily been as a reliever, with only four of his thirty-three appearances being starts, suggesting he may again serve in an opener capacity today.
Despite their injuries, the Nationals have demonstrated they can still pose a threat offensively, making it essential for the Braves to capitalize on their early opportunities against Lord. By doing so, they can force him into a less favorable position and target the Nationals' weaker bullpen.
While this game is not a “must win,” it carries significant weight for the Braves, especially with the Phillies riding a hot streak against a struggling Diamondbacks team. A victory today would help solidify their lead in the National League East.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM EDT.
Game InfoGame Time: Wednesday, September 2nd, 1:05 PM EDT
Location: Nationals Park, Washington, DC
Watch: BravesVision
Radio/Audio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan
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