11
Braves Unleash Grant Holmes for Series Opener vs. Marlins
Braves vs. Marlins: Your Friendly Guide to the August 4th Showdown
The Big Picture: Where We Stand
The Atlanta Braves are back in action with 50 games left in the 2026 regular season. Things are looking up!
IMPORTANT POINT
The Braves just swept the Washington Nationals (won all games in the series). The Nationals came in with a winning record and left with a losing one. Even better? Atlanta is on a five-game winning streak—their first since April!
The Miami Marlins are the visitors this time. They’re 58-55 on the season and fighting hard for a Wild Card spot (that’s a playoff ticket for teams that don’t win their division). They’re tied with San Diego, just two games behind Philadelphia and Arizona for that final playoff berth.
Meet the Starting Pitchers
Grant Holmes — Braves Starter
Record: 6-4 | ERA: 3.88
What’s ERA? Think of it like a "runs allowed average." Lower is better. 3.88 means he typically allows about 3-4 runs per 9 innings.
The Story So Far:
- The team hoped Holmes would move to the bullpen (relief pitcher role) by now, but he’s still starting
- In July: He finished 5 innings in 4 out of 5 starts (one start he went 4.2 innings)
- Best outing: July 8 vs. Pirates — 5 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs
- Rough outing: July 30 vs. Nationals — 4.2 innings, 5 hits, 3 solo home runs
- Hasn’t pitched 6 full innings since June 3
vs. Marlins History (April 2026):
- Pulled after 4 innings
- 3 hits + 2 walks = 3 runs allowed
- Marlins with most at-bats against him:
- Xavier Edwards: 1 hit in 8 at-bats
- Kyle Stowers: 0 hits in 6 at-bats
Ryan Gusto — Marlins Starter
Record: 0-2 | ERA: 5.31
Role Switcheroo: Gusto has bounced between starting (8 games) and relieving (5 games). He started mostly in June, got sent down, then came back in July as a reliever before returning to the rotation.
Recent Start (July 29 vs. Phillies):
- Longest start of the year: 5 innings
- But… 9 hits, 6 earned runs, 1 home run, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts — yikes
vs. Braves History (August 2025):
- 0-2 record in two starts against Atlanta
- Game 1: 7-1 Braves win — Gusto allowed 3 earned runs
- Game 2: 12-1 Braves win — Gusto allowed 9 earned runs
- Braves who’ve done well against him:
- Ozzie Albies & Michael Harris II: Most at-bats (6 each)
- Ozzie Albies & Matt Olson: Have both hit home runs off him
What to Watch For: 5 Key Storylines
- Can Holmes bounce back? After the 3-homer game, all eyes on his command
- Marlins’ playoff push — They’re playing desperate baseball
- Braves’ streak — Can they make it 6 in a row?
- Gusto vs. Braves bats — History says Atlanta crushes him
- Bullpen usage — Neither starter goes deep; relievers will decide this
Game Details: When & Where to Watch
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, August 4, 2026 |
| First Pitch | 7:15 PM ET |
| Location | Truist Park, Atlanta, GA |
| TV | BravesVision, Gray TV |
| Radio | 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan • La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM |
Summary
The Braves roll into this series hot — 5 straight wins, first sweep in forever, and a favorable pitching matchup on paper. Grant Holmes has been inconsistent but showed brilliance two weeks ago. Ryan Gusto has been roughed up badly by Atlanta before (12 earned runs in 2 starts last August). The Marlins are scrappy and fighting for playoff life, but the Braves have owned this matchup recently. First pitch 7:15 PM at The Battery — don’t miss it!
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What’s a "Wild Card" in baseball?
It’s a playoff spot for the best non-division-winners. Think of it as the "best of the rest" ticket to the postseason. The Marlins are chasing one of these.
Why does it matter that Holmes hasn’t gone 6 innings since June?
Starting pitchers who go 6+ innings save the bullpen (relief pitchers). When starters leave early, the bullpen works overtime — which tires them out for future games.
What does "optioned" mean for Gusto?
It means the Marlins temporarily sent him to the minor leagues. Players have a limited number of "options" (usually 3 per career) where teams can do this without losing them to other teams.
Who has the advantage in this matchup?
On paper: The Braves. Better recent form, home field, and Gusto’s terrible history vs. Atlanta. But baseball is weird — anyone can win on any given night!
Can I stream the game if I don’t have cable?
Check MLB.TV (out-of-market) or your local streaming provider that carries BravesVision/Gray TV. Radio is always free on the stations listed above!
