Latest news with #GrantHolmes
Reuters
4 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Giants, Braves looking to get out of recent struggles
July 21 - The San Francisco Giants will send right-hander Hayden Birdsong to the mound to try to end their season-worst five-game losing streak and continue their mastery over the Atlanta Braves when they open a three-game road series on Monday. The Giants are coming off getting swept by the American League East-leading Blue Jays in Toronto and fell two games behind in the National League wild-card race. Manager Bob Melvin admitted Sunday's 8-6 loss stung. "We gave ourselves a chance at the end, but we gave up too many runs in the middle," Melvin said. "I don't think there's any silver linings in this one, just got swept in a series to start the second half and that's not what we were looking for." Atlanta lost its last two games in dropping a home series against the New York Yankees and are 12 games under .500, matching their low mark of the season. "We're going to stay confident," Atlanta pitcher Grant Holmes said after Sunday's 4-2 loss. "This team we have is a really good team, especially when everything starts to click. We just haven't gotten on a run yet." San Francisco swept Atlanta in a tight three-game series in San Francisco in early June, with each of those games decided by one run. Birdsong (4-3, 4.11 ERA) will face Atlanta right-hander Bryce Elder (3-6, 5.65). Birdsong joined the starting rotation on May 20 and will be making his 10th start of the season. He pitched well in his last outing against the Athletics on July 6. He worked five innings and allowed one run on three hits but struggled with control -- only 46 of his 90 pitches were strikes -- and walked five. He struck out six to match his season high. One of those starts came against the Braves on June 6 in San Francisco. He pitched 4 1/3 innings and allowed two runs on two hits, five walks, one hit batsman and five strikeouts. Elder defeated the host Athletics on July 9 in his last appearance. Elder pitched 6 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on eight hits, one walk and seven strikeouts to earn his first win since May 4. Elder pitched very well when he faced San Francisco on June 7 -- his only career appearance against the Giants -- but did not receive a decision after giving up only one run in eight innings with 12 strikeouts. Although the Braves were beaten on Sunday, they got six innings out of right-hander Holmes and three innings from newly acquired righty Dane Dunning to spare the ravaged bullpen. "The fact that (Dunning) could come in and cover three innings, I wasn't sure if he could do that today, but that was huge," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. "To just give a blow to the rest of the bullpen this weekend." Atlanta burned through six relievers -- with five of them allowing runs -- on Saturday. None of those were asked to pitch again Sunday because of Dunning's efforts. "I don't think these guys ever forget how to pitch," Snitker said. "I just think we had a hard time putting innings down against a really good team and in some stressful situations. We just didn't get the job done." --Field Level Media
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Braves takeaways: Marcell Ozuna on trade deadline; Ozzie Albies' future; faltering bullpen
ATLANTA — After their wholly disappointing first half, the Atlanta Braves' stated goal upon returning from the All-Star break was to focus entirely on winning that day and not look ahead. They failed in two of three attempts in their first series back against the New York Yankees, who beat the Braves 4-2 in Sunday's series finale, after coming back from 5-0 and 7-2 deficits against Atlanta relievers to win 12-9 Saturday before the largest crowd of the season at Truist Park. Atlanta trailed 3-0 Sunday before Matt Olson's 442-foot sixth-inning homer, and Ronald Acuña Jr. added a mammoth 456-foot homer in the ninth. Those were the Braves' only extra-base hits against Marcus Stroman and three relievers. Rooftop reservations at the Chop House! @mattolson21 | #BravesCountry — Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 20, 2025 With the loss, the Braves' already poor odds of an eighth consecutive postseason worsened. They are 43-55, the fourth-worst record in the National League. Atlanta is fourth in the NL East, 12 1/2 games back, and ninth in the wild-card standings, a daunting 10 1/2 games out of the third spot, with five teams closer to that final postseason berth. Advertisement 'We're always going to stay confident,' said Braves starter Grant Holmes, who allowed three runs in six innings. 'This team that we have is really good, especially whenever things start to click. We haven't gotten on a run yet. I feel like when that happens, it's going to be pretty good for us, and I believe it will put us back in the picture.' But he also acknowledged it's difficult to avoid looking at their record and place in the standings. 'Obviously, it's in some of our heads,' Holmes said. 'But when you get between the lines, it's this game, this moment. We can only win one game at a time. And that's what it's all about. So, hopefully we can get back on track and go on that run that we've been waiting for.' Atanta's offense finally awakened in the week before the All-Star break, and it has 48 runs and 34 extra-base hits in the past eight games. But an injury-riddled pitching staff and a patchwork bullpen have declined in recent weeks, putting the Braves in a strange (for them) position as the July 31 trade deadline looms. Will the Braves be buyers or sellers at the deadline, and if the latter, how much do they have that other teams want? General manager Alex Anthopoulos recently said he doesn't intend to trade players under team control beyond this season, but if they keep falling further back, it's not hard to imagine that changing. At the least, the Braves might consider trading players in the last year of contracts, including slumping DH Marcell Ozuna, who was 0-for-4 Sunday in his first start in four games, and reliever Raisel Iglesias, who gave up a decisive nine-inning grand slam to Trent Grisham on Saturday and has a 5.12 ERA, the worst of his 11-year career. Sunday, for the first time, Ozuna addressed the message from manager Brian Snitker after the All-Star break that he would play the lineup that gives Atlanta its best chance to win that day. That most affects Ozuna, who was the everyday DH before Snitker decided to start using catchers Sean Murphy and rookie Drake Baldwin in the lineup together, one catching and the other DH'ing. They did that in four of five games before Ozuna DH'd Sunday. Advertisement 'Yeah, it's hard, but we're going to find a way to get it back,' Ozuna said of his DH job. 'I just take my moment, and whatever they do, they are in control. I (have) no decision on that. I just feel positive and ready for when they give me the opportunity.' Asked whether he wanted to stay in Atlanta for the rest of the season, Ozuna said: 'Yeah, whatever they decide, I have to get it. I work for them; they have the decision, and whatever (decision) they make, I have to do it.' That's not true, however, because Ozuna has trade-veto rights as a player with at least 10 years of service, including five with his current team. Ozuna indicated he would leave any decision to his agent, not mentioning any possibility he might step in himself and veto a trade. It also sounded as if there have been trade discussions. 'That's my agent and Alex, that's what they're working on,' he said. 'I don't know. ' Ozuna also reiterated what he has said before about his balky hip — that it affected him earlier, but now he feels fine and is trying to get his timing and swing back after getting out of sync playing through the injury. 'It was my hip earlier this season, but now I feel fantastic,' he said. 'I just lost my confidence at the plate. I just lost my timing, and that's what I've been battling. As soon as I get my timing back, everything's coming like last year and the year before.' Ozuna hit .217 with eight homers and 59 strikeouts in his last 60 games before the All-Star break, and he went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts in the Yankees series, whiffing as a pinch hitter for the final out in Saturday's loss and grounding out to end Sunday's game. The Braves did something Saturday that no team in MLB history had done before: pitch five or fewer innings and allow 12 or more runs, walk at least four batters and allow four or more home runs, including a grand slam. Oh, and take the loss. Advertisement In the first two games against the Yankees, starters Spencer Strider and newcomer Joey Wentz allowed zero runs in 10 innings. Atlanta's bullpen, on the other hand, gave up 15 runs in 10 innings. After Holmes exited Sunday, Dane Dunning went the rest of the way in an encouraging Braves debut, pitching three innings of two-hit ball with one run. He came from the Texas Rangers in a Thursday trade for journeyman reliever José Ruiz and cash, with the Braves hoping Dunning could provide what he did Sunday: multiple innings. Atlanta's 3.55 bullpen ERA before the break ranked seventh in the majors. Since then, it has spiked to 3.84, 15th in MLB. The decline comes at the worst possible time, with the season on the brink and Atlanta starters' ERA also rising steadily as injuries have mounted. The rotation, as it were, has a 4.00 ERA, 16th in the majors. With Atlanta recently relegated to bullpen games at least two out of every five, it could get worse. With the bullpen, the erosion shouldn't be blamed on overuse. Entering Sunday, the Braves had only one reliever ranked in the majors' top 55 in appearances: Dylan Lee, whose 46 appearances is tied for 13th. Raisel Iglesias has the next most for the Braves, with 41, tied for 57th with 16 other relievers. In terms of innings pitched, Lee is tied for 35th with 43 2/3. Lee had a 1.67 ERA in 38 appearances through June. He has a 9.00 ERA in eight July appearances, allowing eight hits, six earned runs and two homers in six innings, with two blown saves. But the Braves don't have many late-innings, high-leverage options, so Lee, Iglesias and Pierce Johnson will continue to get the call, at least as long as Johnson and Iglesias are on the team. Atlanta is in this situation because it lost setup men A.J. Minter (to free agency) and Joe Jiménez (for at least the bulk of this season after October knee surgery that was more complicated and serious than expected). Advertisement The Braves replaced neither with frontline offseason additions, instead signing various low-cost journeymen and well-traveled veterans, and they have traded or claimed on waivers several more since spring. There has also been trade speculation around Johnson, but he seems likely to be moved due to the affordable $7 million club option ($250,000 buyout) for 2026 and his strong overall performance in parts of three seasons (2.80 ERA in 120 appearances) since coming at the 2022 trade deadline. Even in the worst season of his nine-year career, it has seemed unlikely the Braves would trade franchise fixture Ozzie Albies or decline the second baseman's $7 million option next season, which comes with a $4 million buyout. There's another $7 million option for 2027 with no buyout. And if that team-friendly contract didn't have those affordable options and expensive buyout, what he did against the Yankees on Friday and Saturday, after looking better at the plate just before the break, might've helped solidify his likelihood of staying. Albies had two homers and nine RBIs in two nights, became the 26th second baseman in MLB history with 150 career homers and moved to ninth on Atlanta's career hits list with 1,024 — 34 behind Jeff Blauser. A three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner in his first eight seasons with the Braves, Albies had a .270 career average with a .792 OPS and 108 OPS+ before this season. Even after the outburst against the Yankees, he's batting .221 with a .291 OBP, .331 slugging percentage, .622 OPS and 76 OPS+, which would set or match career lows in each of those categories. He was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Sunday. Albies has nine homers and 38 RBIs in 98 games, after twice hitting 30-plus homers, including 33 with 109 RBIs in 2023. He said he doesn't think about the option. 'I just go out and play baseball, give it all I can,' he said. (Top photo of Ozzie Albies: Edward M. Pio Roda / Getty Images)
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Braves look for dandy series finale against Yankees
We've talked a lot about Grant Holmes this season, but here are some facts you may not know. Born in South Carolina. The 22nd overall pick in 2014 by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Traded as part of a deal for Rich Hill and Josh Reddick. Originally signed as a minor-league free-agent with the Atlanta Braves. His brother, Colby, also played in the Braves organization. He currently doesn't have a nickname listed on Baseball-Reference, so we should change that. Let's get some recommendations in the comments. He likes fishing. On the other side, Marcus Stroman takes the hill. The Yankees were reportedly considering releasing/trading him in the offseason, and I even wrote about whether or not the Braves should try to acquire him. And well, he has not been good. In 6 starts and 24 innings (so small samples still apply), his strikeout rate is barely above his walk rate, though his groundball rate remains strong. His 6.66 ERA is … interesting, if nothing else, but while it's technically a little high based on expected metrics, it's only high by like a run. If you'd like a look at his Statcast. Yikes. His repertoire. Well, he throws a #$%&-ton of pitches, but apparently, none of them are very good. He still relies heavily on his sinker, which isn't surprising given his 50% groundball rate, but his stuff hasn't been good. He's still re-establishing himself after an early-season knee injury, but he's been declining for a while. Game Info Game Date/Time: Sunday, July 20th, 1:35 p.m. EDT Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA TV: FanDuel Sports Network South and Southeast Streaming: Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan / La Mejor 1600/1400/1130 AM More from Rookies and AAA Plate Appearances: Does it Matter for Hitters? Braves place 10 on FanGraphs Summer Top 100 Prospects Sims survives Coors as bats rock Rox in finale, 10-4 Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: Acuna Homers, Wentz Dominates Atlanta Braves super early 2018 MLB Draft Preview Remember Andrelton Simmons? He's an MVP candidate in Los Angeles Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: Ronald Acuna homers again because of course he did
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Aaron Judge Player Props: July 20, Yankees vs. Braves
Aaron Judge is looking to build on a one-hit showing in his most recent game (1 for 4). His New York Yankees face Grant Holmes and the Atlanta Braves on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. ET on FDSSO and YES. Find odds, stats, and more below to make your Aaron Judge player prop bets. Judge paces the Yankees with 35 home runs and 81 runs batted in, while putting up a team-best batting average of .353. In MLB action, Judge ranks second in homers and second in RBI. Watch tonight's Yankees game on Fubo! Aaron Judge Prop Bets and Odds How to Watch New York Yankees vs. Atlanta Braves Aaron Judge vs. Grant Holmes Aaron Judge prop bet insights MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Sunday at 1:24 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Aaron Judge stats against the Braves Braves starter: Grant Holmes
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Braves and Yankees meet, winner secures 3-game series
New York Yankees (54-44, second in the AL East) vs. Atlanta Braves (43-54, fourth in the NL East) Atlanta; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Yankees: Marcus Stroman (1-1, 6.66 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 15 strikeouts); Braves: Grant Holmes (4-8, 3.77 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 119 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Braves -132, Yankees +111; over/under is 9 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees play on Sunday with the three-game series tied 1-1. Atlanta has a 25-23 record at home and a 43-54 record overall. The Braves have the ninth-ranked team on-base percentage in the NL at .316. New York is 54-44 overall and 24-25 in road games. The Yankees are 42-11 in games when they have more hits than their opponents. Sunday's game is the third time these teams square off this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Matt Olson leads the Braves with 41 extra base hits (24 doubles and 17 home runs). Sean Murphy is 11 for 36 with three doubles, four home runs and eight RBIs over the last 10 games. Aaron Judge leads the Yankees with 61 extra base hits (24 doubles, two triples and 35 home runs). Cody Bellinger is 16 for 40 with three doubles, four home runs and 11 RBIs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Braves: 4-6, .251 batting average, 5.59 ERA, outscored by five runs Yankees: 6-4, .273 batting average, 5.36 ERA, outscored opponents by 11 runs INJURIES: Braves: Austin Riley: 10-Day IL (abdomen), Spencer Schwellenbach: 60-Day IL (elbow), Chris Sale: 60-Day IL (rib), AJ Smith-Shawver: 60-Day IL (calf/elbow), Reynaldo Lopez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Joe Jimenez: 60-Day IL (knee) Yankees: Max Fried: day-to-day (finger), Mark Leiter Jr.: 15-Day IL (fubular), Clarke Schmidt: 15-Day IL (forearm), Fernando Cruz: 15-Day IL (oblique), Ryan Yarbrough: 15-Day IL (oblique), Oswaldo Cabrera: 60-Day IL (ankle), Yerry De Los Santos: 15-Day IL (elbow), Jake Cousins: 60-Day IL (elbow), Gerrit Cole: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Gil: 60-Day IL (back) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
