While the Atlanta Braves are grateful to make the playoffs, they face a tough challenge with their current pitching situation. Martin Perez's untimely placement on the injured list puts a bit more pressure on the rotation.
Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle give the team plenty of confidence, but after that, it's a toss-up. Atlanta has been experimenting with openers recently to give itself options should they need them. Ray Kerr was the first up, and he tossed three scoreless innings against the Marlins.
He was followed by Grant Holmes, who has been a starter for the majority of the season. However, he has plenty of bullpen experience, so that shouldn't be a huge deal for him. Holmes completed four innings in relief with one run allowed, on three hits, with three walks, and one strikeout. Not the worst outing, but also not the best he's had. With the sudden loss of Perez, Holmes has now become an X-factor for the starting rotation.
Grant Holmes has become more important to the Braves than anyone expected
Holmes hasn't been out of this world good in 2026, but he's been good enough. Holmes has a 3.44 ERA over 31 games (29 starts) with 62 walks and 115 strikeouts. His chase and whiff rates have been very good this season at 31.8% and 27.3%. Holmes has gotten better each month since May, and September has been his best month so far. He has a 1.89 ERA over 19 innings pitched, with four walks and 11 strikeouts. That will absolutely play.
An important factor has been that Holmes' slider has really helped him a lot this year, as opponents are only batting .211 against it. He also has a very impressive breaking run value of 5, which sits in the 82nd percentile among all MLB pitchers. However, the right-hander has been rather lackluster in every other area this season. His hard-hit rate is the most concerning, at a career-high of 45.2%.
However, the right-hander has been rather lackluster in every other area this season. His hard-hit rate is the most concerning, at a career-high of 45.2%. Simply put, the Braves need Holmes to be the best version of himself in the postseason if they're going to have a chance.
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