Grant Holmes allows six runs in loss to D-backs

It’s a tough break for fantasy managers in the middle of playoff matchups. However, all indications are that Sale, who was originally scheduled to start on Friday, is healthy and not dealing with any physical issues. The decision appears to be aimed towards setting up Atlanta’s rotation for the postseason schedule. It’ll be Tyler Mahle, Grant Holmes and Martín Pérez getting the ball against the Astros this weekend.

After a scoreless first inning, Holmes surrendered a two-run homer to J.T. Realmuto in the second. He recovered with two more scoreless innings before departing after four frames. He did not record a strikeout. The 30-year-old right-hander will carry a 3.49 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 110/59 K/BB ratio across 141 2/3 innings into a start against the Astros in Houston next weekend.

Holmes struck out six. It’s his fifth scoreless start since the beginning of August, though one of those ended after three innings because of a rain delay. His peripherals still aren’t great, but he has a 2.61 ERA in his last 14 outings since late June. He’ll likely face the Phillies again at home on Sunday.

Bryce Elder, who allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings on Monday and has a 6.45 ERA over his last four starts, will see his next start pushed back a few days. Given that it was slated to come against the Phillies, that’s probably welcome news for those still relying on Elder.

Holmes struck out one and didn’t allow any baserunners. He was cruising, needing only 26 pitches to record nine outs before a rain delay interrupted his day. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.62, and he’s had just two starts all season where he gave up more than three earned runs. A home matchup against the Rays is up next.

Holmes kept the Rockies off the board for the first four innings of this one. His first earned run came in the top of the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Jake McCarthy to bring home Zac Veen, but that was just the start of a three-run inning for the Rockies. A few batters later, Hunter Goodman would single to drive home Ezequiel Tovar, and Cole Carrigg came around to score on the following at-bat on a groundout by Cole Carrigg. Holmes would make it out of the inning but would not return in the sixth, bringing an end to his night. It was a strong final outing for Holmes, who held his opponents off the board in three of his five starts and posted a 3.04 ERA. Holmes’ next start is scheduled for Wednesday on the road against the Nationals.

Holmes had only two batters reach against him through six, both on walks. He came out for the seventh and walked another before Andrew Benintendi broke up the no-hitter with a single. He was pulled then, and Didier Fuentes came in and struck out three in a row to keep the game 2-0. Holmes improved to 8-5 with a 3.64 ERA. There’s been talk about shifting him to the pen, but he hasn’t made it an easy call, with the Braves winning eight of his last nine starts. He’ll face the Dodgers next week.

Holmes walked two and allowed three hits while needing just 77 pitches to record 18 outs. He typically struggles more the second time through a lineup, which is why so many of his starts are capped around five innings or low pitch counts. For instance, 14 of his 18 homers this season have come in that second turn through the order. That wasn’t an issue this time, though, and he allowed three or fewer runs for the 15th consecutive outing. Up next is a home start against the Diamondbacks.

A nice bounceback for Holmes after he couldn’t get out of this fifth inning against the Nationals on Thursday. The right-hander allowed five hits, and just one of those went for extra bases; a doubled by Javier Sanoja. He walked one against five strikeouts in a very solid effort for the 30-year-old hurler. If the rotation order holds, it’ll be Holmes against the Yankees on Sunday, but fantasy managers will need to make sure as Atlanta has made changes to the order a few times in 2026.

Sale won’t start at all against Miami, and instead is being pushed back to the weekend series against the Yankees. Atlanta will instead push up the other arms in the rotation, so Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder and Martin Perez will be the arms who go instead. It’s disappointing Sale won’t get a two-start week this late in the fantasy season, but understandable.