Grant Holmes on the hill for the Braves in series opener vs. the Miami Marlins

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 30: Grant Holmes #66 of the Atlanta Braves walks to the mound in the first inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on July 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images Your new and improved* B

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What is the story about?

Your new and improved* Braves are here. Fifty games left in the 2026 regular season. Let’s get after it.

*your mileage may vary based on your trade deadline opinions.

August started off in sweet and sweep-y fashion – the Washington Nationals entered the series a game over .500 and left two games under. The Braves are now rocking their first five-game win streak since April.

A new NL East challenger arrives at Truist Park, and they’re going to be looking to cause some chaos. The Miami Marlins (58-55)

are tied with San Diego to be just two games behind the Philadelphia Phillies AND Arizona Diamondbacks for a Wild Card berth.

It’s up to Grant Holmes to set the tone to start the series off right. We had hoped that by this time, Holmes (6-4, 3.88 ERA) would have made the official transition from the starting rotation to an incredible long-relief option in the bullpen. But this hasn’t come to pass. In July, Holmes completed five innings in 4/5 games started (and went 4.2 innings in the last one). His best by far was versus the Pirates on July 8, where he only allowed three hits and no runs. He’s looking to bounce back from his worst one, which was the most recent: in the 4.2 innings pitched against the Nationals on July 30, he allowed five hits including three (thankfully solo) homers. Grant hasn’t pitched six innings since June 3.

In his last time out facing Miami in mid-April, Holmes was lifted after four innings after a combination of three hits and two walks led to three runs. The Fish with the most at-bats against Holmes are Xavier Edwards (1-for-8) and Kyle Stowers (0-for-6).

The Marlins will counter with the right-hander Ryan Gusto (0-2, 5.31 ERA). Gusto has split time between the starting role and as a reliever, with eight outings as the former and five as the latter. He had started almost exclusively in the month of June before being optioned, and seemingly eased back in in the bullpen after being recalled on July 9. He made his longest start of the year with this final line against Philadelphia on July 29 by going five… but the rest of the final line? 9 H, 6 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, and 3 K.

Gusto faced the Braves twice last season in August, and was the losing pitcher for both in lopsided 7-1 and 12-1 Braves victories. He was tagged for three and nine earned runs in those, respectively. Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II are tied with the most at-bats against him six. Ozzie and Matt Olson have homered off him.

First pitch is at 7:15 pm ET.