The Atlanta Braves head to PNC Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 for a 6:40 PM ET matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Grant Holmes gets the start for Atlanta against Pittsburgh's Jared Jones in what figures to be a pitching-focused contest on the banks of the Allegheny. With the regular season deep into its second half, every game carries genuine weight in the NL standings, and the Braves will be leaning on a lineup that features several familiar faces — plus a few new ones — to get the job done on the road.

Starting Pitching Matchup: Grant Holmes vs. Jared Jones

Grant Holmes draws the start for the Braves in this one. The right-hander has been part of Atlanta's pitching mix in 2026, and Wednesday gives him a chance to build his case as a reliable arm in the rotation. Holmes will need to limit damage against a Pittsburgh lineup that has legitimate middle-of-the-order pop.

Opposing him is Jared Jones, one of the more intriguing young arms in the Pittsburgh system who has grown into a legitimate threat at the MLB level. Jones has the stuff to keep Atlanta's bats quiet if he's on. The Braves will need disciplined at-bats to work counts and find gaps.

Atlanta Braves Lineup at Pittsburgh

• Michael Harris II — CF
• Ozzie Albies — 2B
• Matt Olson — 1B
• Drake Baldwin — DH
• Mauricio Dubón — LF
• Austin Riley — 3B
• Mike Yastrzemski — RF
• Joey Bart — C
• Jorge Mateo — SS

Manager's note: Austin Riley drops to sixth in this lineup, with Drake Baldwin slotting in at cleanup in the DH spot. That's a configuration worth tracking — Baldwin hitting fourth puts real pressure on him to produce in run-scoring situations. Matt Olson hitting third is a constant, and the veteran first baseman remains a cornerstone of Atlanta's offensive identity. Michael Harris II leads things off from center field, and Jorge Mateo brings speed and defensive versatility at the bottom of the order.

Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup

• Jake Mangum — CF
• Brandon Lowe — 2B
• Bryan Reynolds — LF
• Esmerlyn Valdez — RF
• Ryan O'Hearn — 1B
• Nick Gonzales — 3B
• Marcell Ozuna — DH
• Jared Triolo — SS
• Henry Davis — C

Bryan Reynolds in the three-hole remains Pittsburgh's most dangerous presence in the lineup. Holmes will need to be sharp when Reynolds comes to the plate with runners on base. Marcell Ozuna's presence at DH for the Pirates also stands out — the former Brave knows Atlanta's tendencies as well as anyone.

Keys to Watch

• Holmes's command early: Grant Holmes needs to attack the zone from the first inning. PNC Park rewards pitchers who work efficiently, and falling behind counts against this Pittsburgh lineup will create trouble in a hurry.
• Olson and Riley producing with runners on: Atlanta's middle of the order has to convert opportunities. Stranding runners on base in a road ballpark is a formula for a frustrating loss.
• Handling Marcell Ozuna: Facing a former teammate who knows your scouting tendencies is always a wrinkle. Atlanta's battery will need a smart game plan for the big DH.
• Jorge Mateo's speed at the bottom: Mateo batting ninth gives Atlanta a secondary igniter. If he gets on base, he can manufacture pressure and turn the lineup over to Harris and Albies in big spots.

Prediction

This is a road test that will tell us something real about where Atlanta stands heading into the back half of July. Grant Holmes will need to be sharp for at least five innings to keep the bullpen fresh. If Olson and Riley can do damage against Jones and the Braves steal the early momentum, Atlanta has the lineup depth to close this one out. Braves 5, Pirates 3.

Catch the game on BravesVision or tune in on Los Bravos radio for Spanish-language coverage.