Grant Holmes’ patience was rewarded.

Holmes, a right-hander for the Atlanta Braves, will make the most important start of his major league career on 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) are two games behind the New York Mets in the battle for the National League’s final wild-card playoff spot. The Braves and Marlins have split the first two games of this series.

Holmes himself was selected 22nd in the first round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014. He spent the next ten years in the minor leagues.

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

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

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

Additionally, the Braves have a record of just 8-15 when Holmes is pitching. In fact, Atlanta has lost five of the last six games when Holmes is pitching.

He also seems to be on the verge of a decline, as September was 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 played against the Marlins only once. On August 3, the Marlins won 4-3 and Holmes got a no-decision after allowing seven hits, one walk and three runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Like Holmes, McCaughan is 28 years old. However, McCaughan (0-0, 7.64 ERA) studied at Long Beach State and made it to the major leagues much faster with Seattle in 2021.

McCaughan has not yet been included in the decision despite 14 MLB appearances, including five starts.

Miami is 4-3 when McCaughan starts as a pitcher, who has been in the rotation since Sept. 1. He has never faced the Braves and has never pitched more than five innings in a major league game.

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

To win the series finale, the Marlins must overcome an Atlanta lineup that includes DH Marcell Ozuna (38 home runs, 101 RBIs) and first baseman Matt Olson (29 home runs, 97 RBIs, 37 doubles (team best)).

However, the Braves will be without their stars Ronald Acuna Jr. and Austin Riley. Young top players like second baseman Ozzie Albies and center fielder Michael Harris II are back, but both have missed at least 50 games.

“It’s a big deal,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said Saturday when asked about the injuries. “The reality is we’re not the same offensive team we used to be, and to be honest, we weren’t before the injuries either.”

Miami’s best hitters are first baseman Jake Burger (27 home runs, 68 RBIs) and outfielder Jesus Sanchez (17 home runs, 62 RBIs and 24 doubles, most on the team).

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said he prefers playing against teams like the Braves that are battling for the playoffs.

“The teams we’ve been playing against lately are trying to get into the tournament,” Schumaker said Saturday. “That’s great because I don’t have to motivate our guys.”

–Field level media