ATLANTA -- Had the Braves added the frontline starter their fans were seeking before Monday’s Trade Deadline, Grant Holmes would have likely been going to the bullpen within the next week.
So as Holmes spun six scoreless innings in a 4-2 win over the Marlins on Tuesday night at Truist Park, was he motivated by the widespread disappointment that was expressed by fans when Atlanta didn’t acquire a frontline starting pitcher?
“Players will take that stuff personally, and that's OK,” manager Walt Weiss said. “I always say to players, ‘find something that puts a chip on your shoulder.’ I don't care what it is, but you're going to need that in this league.”
Holmes might want to continue carrying that chip on his shoulder. As Braves fans worried about the quality depth within their rotation, their No. 5 starter limited the Marlins to five hits.
“That was very encouraging,” third baseman Austin Riley said. “He works really hard and the stuff is there. I think he’s a really good pitcher.”
Riley’s two-run homer in the seventh inning proved decisive for the Braves (68-45), who have won six straight and 13 of 18 since the All-Star break. This recent success has created a 7 1/2-game lead in the National League East. There’s a lot to like about the potential of this roster.
But there are concerns about the quality of depth that exists within Atlanta’s injury-depleted rotation. So, there was hope that Tarik Skubal, Jacob deGrom, Robbie Ray, Casey Mize or another frontline starter might join forces with NL Cy Young Award candidate Chris Sale in the Braves’ rotation.
Had Atlanta acquired another starter beyond Tyler Mahle, Holmes would have been the odd man out. So was he motivated by the recent chatter about the need to upgrade the rotation?
“You can use it for motivation, but I try not to because sometimes it can get you in trouble and make you try to do too much,” Holmes said.
Holmes had completed fewer than five innings in eight of his previous 20 starts this season. This included Thursday night, when he was visibly frustrated after being removed having thrown just 69 pitches over 4 2/3 innings. His struggles the second time through the lineup have led Weiss to pull him when he ran into trouble before the end of the fifth.
But this latest outing was one that provided the reminder that Holmes is capable of pitching effectively deep into games. This was the sixth time he has completed at least six innings in 2026. It was also the fourth time in his career -- third time this season -- that he held an opponent scoreless over six-plus innings.
So, was it just coincidental that one of the best starts of his career came as fans were spewing their displeasure about the Braves not significantly improving their rotation?
“This game's crazy how it works,” Riley said. “We’ve got some guys that are very capable and I like where we’re at. So, let's just continue.”