Time is running short for Atlanta and they need a win to keep themselves in the picture. If it’s really a good day, perhaps Zach Wheeler will lead the Phillies over the Mets.
Time is running short for Atlanta and they need a win to keep themselves in the playoff picture. If it’s really a good day, perhaps Zach Wheeler will lead the Phillies over the Mets. Being in this spot and relying on a Grant Holmes start (with no disrespect meant for Grant) is not an ideal situation, but that crucial Mets series remains on the schedule and the Braves will need a sweep regardless of Sunday’s result against Miami, unless they get some help.
Grant Holmes has had a pretty impressive age 28 rookie season. He has put up a 3.13 FIP and a 3.68 xFIP over 58.2 innings with a slightly unlucky 3.84 ERA for a solid 1.0 fWAR. That’s entirely serviceable production for a pitcher in a role alternating between reliever and starter. He’s been slightly below average at inducing strikeouts, but he’s done well to avoid walks and has a solid ground ball rate. His slider and curveball have been his best pitches, with primarily vertical movement and pretty high velocity relative to league average. Hopefully Grant can continue to pitch well and give the offense a solid chance on Sunday.
Fortunately for Atlanta, they are facing Darren McCaughan as the starting pitcher on the other side. The 28 year old journeyman has never been any more than acceptable at the triple-A level and has had a brutal time in his 33.0 innings of major league ball this year. Striking out only 5.18 batters per 9, while walking 3.55 with a well below league average ground ball rate is not a recipe for major league success. At his best in triple-A, his strikeout and walk rates have been roughly average, with a still below average ground ball rate. His velocity tops out in the lower 90s and he pitches off his sweeper as his primary offering. This is a matchup that Braves’ hitters should be salivating at and we just have to hope that they can barrel some pitches up and they don’t fall into some more bad luck. McCaughan is unlikely to pitch more than 5.0 innings at the absolute most, so hopefully they can strike while the iron is hot early.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Sunday, September 22, 1:40 p.m. ET
Location: loanDepot Park, Miami, FL
TV: Bally Sports Southeast
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan