The second half of the season kicks off with a marquee matchup as the Atlanta Braves prepare to host the New York Yankees — but so far, only one thing is certain: Spencer Strider gets the ball on Friday. Beyond that? TBD.
The Braves announced on Thursday that Strider will start the series opener, but the rest of the weekend rotation remains uncertain as the team uses the post-All-Star break reset to assess its options.
With all arms fully rested, manager Brian Snitker and his staff have some flexibility — and a few key decisions to make, especially against a Yankees team boasting the best offensive numbers in baseball (.791 OPS).
Strider Trending Up as He Returns to Form
Strider, returning from UCL surgery, hasn’t quite looked like his dominant 2023 self just yet, but he’s made clear progress. Despite a season ERA of 3.94 and a WHIP of 1.16 through 11 starts, the hard-throwing righty has a 2.95 ERA over his last six outings. His fastball velocity is trending back up, the strikeouts (74) are there, and most importantly, he’s starting to look confident again.
Holmes, Elder Among Braves Weekend Candidates
One of the most likely candidates to follow Strider in the rotation is Grant Holmes. The 28-year-old has been a steady presence through most of the first half with a 3.77 ERA over 20 appearances (19 starts).
He hit a bump before the break, allowing five earned runs in just three innings against St. Louis, but had a 2.73 ERA over his previous 11 starts. The issue hasn’t been Holmes’ pitching — it’s been run support. The Braves are 3-8 in those last 11 outings despite his consistency.
Bryce Elder is also in the mix. He’s been inconsistent at best and struggled mightily at worst, owning a 9.67 ERA over his last five starts. Still, his most recent outing — 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball against Oakland — offers a glimmer of hope. The long ball remains his Achilles’ heel, with 16 allowed over 15 starts, but he continues to be an innings-eater and could earn another look.
Don’t Rule Out Davis Daniel — or a Bullpen Day
Another possibility is Davis Daniel, who last pitched on Sunday before the break. He gave up just one run in four innings before a rain delay cut his outing short. Daniel is still on the active roster and has shown enough poise to be considered for another turn through the rotation.
With the bullpen fully rested, Atlanta could also opt for a bullpen day, something they’ve done twice in recent weeks with reasonable success. That flexibility gives the Braves a chance to either buy time for a struggling starter or strategically match up against the Yankees’ heavy-hitting lineup.
A Call-Up Option? It’s On the Table
There’s also the outside shot that the Braves look to Triple-A for help. No specific name has surfaced yet, but with the rotation still in flux and the Yankees looming, it’s not out of the question that the front office makes a move ahead of Saturday or Sunday.
For now, all eyes turn to Strider, who takes the mound Friday in what’s expected to be a playoff-like atmosphere at Truist Park. After that, the Braves’ rotation decision becomes a chess match — and with one of the league’s most dangerous lineups in town, every move will matter.
