Atlanta looks to end the series on a high note.
The Braves and Mets will close out the four-game series on Thursday night at Citi Field, concluding a stretch of seven games between the two division foes in a stretch of 10 days. It’s been a profitable stretch for the Braves over the past two weeks as they’ve gone 5-1 to stay alive in the NL East and Wild Card chases, and they’ll look to end the series on a high note behind Grant Holmes.
Holmes is coming off a start in Miami that was effectively wild for 5.2 innings, keeping the Marlins scoreless while issuing five hits, five walks, and striking out five. Holmes has pitched well overall over the last month, posting a 3.76 ERA / 3.46 FIP / 2.77 xFIP across five starts and 26.1 innings. This will be Holmes’ first time seeing the Mets this season. He’ll need to really establish the fastball against New York’s group of veteran hitters to then unleash the slider that has been so effective in 2025.
New York will counter with righty Griffin Canning, who fans will remember from the Jorge Soler trade last November before being non-tendered a few weeks later. I’m still not sure I understood that decision for a few million in savings, but alas, they don’t ask for my opinion in the front office.
Canning got off to a terrific start with a 2.90 ERA / 3.79 FIP / 3.72 xFIP through 12 stats, but he’s regressed heavily while giving up 13 runs over his last 14.2 innings and three starts. Canning mixes in five pitches including a fastball, cutter, slider, knuckle curve and changeup with the changeup being the most effective by far.
One housekeeping note: with the balanced schedule, the Braves and Mets won’t see each other until August 12-14. They’ll then meet again ten days later on August 22-24, and that’ll be it. A little odd, but it is what it is.
Tonight’s series finale is set for a 7:10 p.m. ET first pitch.