The Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals will finish their two-game series Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 2, with Grant Holmes scheduled to start for Atlanta against Jackson Kent. The matchup comes one day after the Braves fell 9-5 on Tuesday, a result that trimmed their NL East lead over the Philadelphia Phillies to three games.
What Wednesday's matchup means
Atlanta has led the NL East basically all season, so the standings still favor the Braves. But with the margin down to three games, every series now carries a little more weight, especially against a Nationals team that has one of the best offenses in MLB.
Holmes will be making his third appearance against the Nationals this season and his fifth start overall. The 2024 fourth-round pick has a 3.71 ERA, and the Braves will again be looking for him to provide enough length to stabilize the middle of the game.
Kent, meanwhile, comes in after a strong showing Tuesday. He threw seven innings of three-hit, one-run ball in a win over Miami, giving Washington a timely boost heading into the finale.
Why James Wood matters
One other factor to watch is James Wood. The Nationals could get another lift if he returns from the injured list, which would only add to an already dangerous lineup. If he is available, Washington would have another impact bat to pair with a group that has already done damage this season.
For the Braves, the path is straightforward: limit the damage, get a solid outing from Holmes, and avoid letting a strong offensive opponent turn a short series into a bigger setback. For the Nationals, the goal is to keep pressuring a division leader that is trying to protect its cushion in the final game of the set.
