Braves building steam ahead of series finale vs. Rockies

The Atlanta Braves will send right-hander Grant Holmes to the mound on Sunday afternoon in an effort to sweep their three-game series with the visiting Colorado Rockies.

A win would give the Braves momentum heading into next week's series against the National League East-leading New York Mets.

Atlanta has won three games in a row for the first time since May 6 following Saturday's 4-1 victory over Colorado.

The Rockies, in turn, have lost seven of their last eight games. They dropped to 13-57, the worst start to a season in the modern era, one game worse than the 1932 Boston Red Sox (14-56).

Holmes (3-5, 4.07 ERA) will start in place of ace Chris Sale, who was pushed back as a means to be ready to pitch against the Mets.

Holmes allowed three earned runs for the third time in as many starts on Tuesday in a 4-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. He surrendered two homers and three walks while striking out nine.

Holmes struggled in his lone career encounter versus Colorado, permitting five runs on six hits in five innings in a no-decision last August.

He will be opposed on Sunday by Colorado starter Austin Gomber, who will make his first appearance of the season.

Gomber, a left-hander, was reinstated from the 60-day injured list after recovering from a left shoulder soreness that began in spring training. He made three starts at Triple-A Albuquerque and allowed three runs with 13 strikeouts in 12 innings.

"I feel like I'm ready, like coming-out-of-spring training ready," Gomber said. "As I get into the season and continue to get more starts, I'll get sharper and continue to feel better. But I'm able to go out there and compete right now, absolutely."

Gomber made 30 starts last season and threw a career-high 165 innings, going 5-12 with a 4.75 ERA. His biggest problem was keeping the ball in the park, as he allowed a career-high 30 homers.

Gomber has made seven career appearances (four starts) against Atlanta, going 2-1 with a 5.32 ERA. He beat the Braves on Sept. 5 of last season, allowing one run on five hits over eight innings in one of his best performances of 2024.

Atlanta's offense has been clicking during its winning streak.

First baseman Matt Olson had an RBI single on Saturday and has reached base in 16 consecutive games, and Ronald Acuna Jr. hit his seventh homer of the season and has hit safely in 17 of 20 games since his return from the injured list.

"I'm super happy, and mostly because I just know that all the work I put in with the coaches, with the trainers, with the medical staff, all the work went into where we are now," Acuna said.

He joined Spencer Strider, who struck out a season-high 13 over six scoreless innings, in leading the Braves' charge on Saturday.

"You like seeing them healthy and on the field, because those guys are what this game is all about," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. "They love to compete, and they love to play baseball. They dedicated themselves and worked so hard to get back here that it makes me feel even better. All the hard work that they put in last year has paid off for them."