The Atlanta Braves are once again playing musical chairs with their starting rotation—and just in time for a pivotal homestand against the Los Angeles Angels. If you’re a Braves fan feeling like every week is a new episode of “Who’s Pitching Anyway?”—you’re not alone. But hey, there’s actually a method to the madness this time around.
Per MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, Grant Holmes, originally scheduled to start Wednesday, has been bumped up to Tuesday’s series opener. That slides Didier Fuentes into the Wednesday slot instead. And Bryce Elder? He’s staying put for Thursday’s finale, no surprises there—though after his last outing, maybe there should be.
Holmes Holding the Line
Holmes enters Tuesday with a respectable 3.70 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP over 90 innings. He took the loss in his last start against the Mets, but context matters—he’s been the rotation’s glue this season. At 29, he’s not out here throwing 101 or dominating highlight reels, but he’s been consistently reliable. And for a Braves pitching staff absolutely riddled with injuries, that kind of steadiness is crucial.
This is a guy who wasn’t even supposed to be a rotation staple back in March. But here he is, tasked with leading off a series the Braves absolutely need to win. It’s not a playoff game, but it’s got that kind of weight.
Fuentes Facing the Fire
Wednesday brings us the wild card: Didier Fuentes. It’s only his third career start, and the results haven’t been great. He has allowed ten runs in 8 1/3 innings including fourteen hits and three bombs. It hasn’t been a soft landing in the big leagues.
The thing is, he’s also shown flashes. The control’s been there; he’s only issued one walk. That’s not nothing, especially for a young arm thrust into a high-pressure spot. He’s the Braves’ No. 10 prospect for a reason. With Chris Sale out with fractured ribs, Fuentes gets the call to prove he belongs. He doesn’t have to be perfect—he just has to show progress.
Elder Needs a Reset
And then there’s Bryce Elder, set to close out the series on Thursday. Elder is still recovering from a rough night against the Phillies—ten runs (nine earned) in just two innings pitched. Yes, there was a rain delay, and yes, that always complicates things, but the fact remains: the guy’s ERA has ballooned to 5.82.
He’s had success before. He’s not that far removed from being a trusted part of this rotation. But right now? He needs a clean outing badly. Something to settle him down, settle the team down, and maybe even hang onto that rotation spot as the trade deadline creeps closer.
Crunch Time for Braves
The Braves come into this series against the Angels with a 38-45 record and sit seven and a half games out of a playoff spot. They just dropped a series to the Phillies and now face a stretch that could define their summer. The Angels midweek, the Orioles this weekend—every game counts double from here on out.
Holmes is the steady hand. Fuentes is the question mark. Elder is the bounce-back candidate. The Braves don’t just need innings—they need answers. And this week, that search takes center stage at Truist Park.
