Former Oakland A’s prospect Grant Holmes was not expected to get the ball today. But after the Atlanta Braves blew their doubleheader against the New York Mets in Game 1 and NL Cy Young hopeful Chris Sale was sidelined with back spasms early in Game 2, it was Holmes who got the ball for Atlanta and the season was at stake.

Holmes was taken out of the game with one out and two on in the start of the fifth inning, giving way to Daysbel Hernández, who ended the threat and kept the Braves ahead 1-0.

The 28-year-old right-hander made his big league debut earlier this season and went 2-1 with Atlanta. He posted a 3.56 ERA over 68 1/3 innings in 26 games (seven starts). The bizarre thing about this move is that Holmes also recorded five outs and only needed 21 pitches against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

In his start Monday, Holmes went 4 1/3 innings, giving up a single hit, walking one batter and striking out seven.

This is pure speculation, but with the Braves and Mets both playing two games on Monday, perhaps deploying Holmes was a big gamble that appears to be paying off for Atlanta, which, if it manages to win this game, will earn a spot will secure the postseason. They would also have Chris Sale available to pitch in the first game, assuming the back spasms aren’t too bad. Having Sale in the first game would give them a better chance in the next round than not having him at all.

Holmes was originally selected 22nd overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB Draft. The Dodgers traded him to Oakland in 2016 along with Frankie Montas and Jharel Cotton in exchange for Rich Hill and Josh Reddick.