Atlanta @ Miami Game Overview

Holmes, an Atlanta Braves right-hander, will make the most important start of his major league career Sunday afternoon in the series finale against the host Miami Marlins.

The Marlins will counter with right-hander Darren McCaughan.

While the Marlins (57-98) have the worst record in the National League, the Braves (84-71) trail the New York Mets by two games in the chase for the final National League wild-card playoff berth. The Braves and Marlins have split the first two games of this series.

As for Holmes, he was the Los Angeles Dodgers' first-round pick, 22nd overall, in 2014. He then spent the next 10 years in the minor leagues.

A native of South Carolina, Holmes -- who had been traded by the Dodgers and released by the Oakland Athletics -- finally made his MLB debut this year on June 16 for Atlanta at age 28.

Holmes pitched five scoreless innings over his first three MLB appearances. He enters Sunday's game with a 2-1 record and a 3.84 ERA.

However, Holmes has been better as a reliever (3.27 ERA) than as a starter (4.56 ERA).

Plus, the Braves are just 8-15 when Holmes pitches. In fact, Atlanta has lost five of its past six games when pitching Holmes.

He also appears to be wearing down, as September has been his worst month of the season (6.43 ERA in five appearances). August was his second-worst month (4.63 ERA in seven appearances).

Holmes has faced the Marlins just once. On Aug. 3, the Marlins won 4-3, and Holmes escaped with a no-decision after allowing seven hits, one walk and three runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Like Holmes, McCaughan is 28. However, McCaughan (0-0, 7.64 ERA) went to college at Long Beach State and made it to the majors much faster, in 2021 with Seattle.

McCaughan has yet to factor into a decision despite making 14 MLB appearances, including five starts.

Miami is 4-3 when pitching McCaughan, who has been in the rotation since Sept. 1. He has never faced the Braves, and he has yet to pitch longer than five innings in a major league game.

McCaughan has a 6.75 ERA in his four September starts this year, and the Marlins would be thrilled if he gives them five solid innings on Sunday.

To win the series finale, the Marlins will have to navigate through an Atlanta lineup that includes DH Marcell Ozuna (38 homers, 101 RBIs) and first baseman Matt Olson (29 homers, 97 RBIs, team-high 37 doubles).

The Braves, though, are without stars Ronald Acuna Jr. and Austin Riley. Young standouts such as second baseman Ozzie Albies and center fielder Michael Harris II are back now, but both have missed at least 50 games each.

"That's a big deal," Braves manager Brian Snitker said Saturday when asked about the injuries. "The reality is that we haven't been the same offensive team that we've been, and we weren't before the injuries, to be honest."

Miami's top sluggers are first baseman Jake Burger (27 homers, 68 RBIs) and outfielder Jesus Sanchez (17 homers, 62 RBIs and a team-high 24 doubles).

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said he prefers playing teams such as the Braves, who are in playoff contention.

"The teams we're playing lately are trying to get into the tournament," Schumaker said Saturday. "It's great because I don't need to motivate our guys."

--Field Level Media