Ray Kerr announced as Wild Card Series Game 3 starter for Braves

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 9: Ray Kerr #58 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Truist Park on September 9, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images With the Postseason run on the line, the Atlanta Brav

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What is the story about?

With the Postseason run on the line, the Atlanta Braves are now in a situation where they’ll likely be leaning on their bullpen to get them through to the Divisional Series over the Philadelphia Phillies. There was an open question as to whether or not Grant Holmes would get the start or if they’d go with a bit of a strategy for the final game of this series and as it turns out, there will be some tactics at play.

The Braves have announced that Ray Kerr will be on the mound to start tonight’s game

for the Braves.

From a personal standpoint, it’s an amazing story for Kerr as he’s gone from missing the entirety of the 2026 season to returning to the bullpen a couple of months ago, making the Wild Card Series roster and now getting the call to make a start. Perseverance matters and Kerr is full of it.

From a tactical standpoint, it makes sense. Kerr has gone three innings in four different occasions so far this season and he actually did so against the Phillies back on September 13. That was when he pitched three scoreless innings and struck out four batters while only giving up one hit and zero walks. I’d imagine that Atlanta would be thrilled with a repeat of those results in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series.

Kerr’s last appearance on Septmeber 25 was similar in that he went three innings (all scoreless) and only gave up two hits and a walk while he was out there. He’s perfectly capable of eating multiple innings in effective fashion and the Braves are going to need every bit of it in order to stay alive in this one.

As for what’s happening afterwards, I’d imagine that Grant Holmes could come in for relief after that and if he gets three innings then that’ll get the Braves through to the sixth and then they can start to really use some of their big arms out of the ‘pen. I’d say it’s an open question as to whether or not both Didier Fuentes and Dylan Lee make appearances in this one but everybody else in the bullpen would appear to be available.

So there you have it, folks: It’ll be Ray Kerr vs. Aaron Nola to start out the Winner-Take-All Game 3 of the Wild Card Series. What do y’all make of this?