After a stunning walk-off in the 11th inning to win yesterday’s matchup, the Atlanta Braves are looking for a series win against the high-offensive-powered Washington Nationals with Grant Holmes on the mound.
Holmes, who’s holding a 3.80 ERA and a 3-1 record, had a nice outing against the Boston Red Sox last weekend (May 17). Extending his stay to six innings—an upgrade from his previous four starts, where he had trouble with control— he held the Redsox scoreless with five hits and four total strikeouts within 87 pitches.
Now, with four quality starts under his belt for the season, the righty is looking to close out game two in the same fashion and keep the Braves alive on the defensive side.
On the opposing side, Nationals’ Jake Irvin is taking the mound. With a 5.79 ERA and 1-4 record across his 46.2 innings, one would think— given the Braves’ offense hunker down on run-support— Atlanta has this game in the bag.
Irvin last faced the Braves on April 20, where he took the loss (9-4), giving up three earned runs across his five innings. It was the bullpen rather than Irvin’s appearance that Atlanta’s offense took advantage of in that game, scoring five runs in the sixth and capping it off with two more in the ninth.
The one pitch in his arsenal that could rattle the Braves’ offense is Irvin’s curveball. This season, he’s gotten his second-leading strikeout rate (16) with the pitch and has only yielded five base hits with it.
It’s all happening at Truist Park at 4:10 p.m. today. Check back with us to view the lineups.
Game Time: Saturday, May 23rd, 4:10 pm EDT
Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA.
Radio/Audio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan
