The Atlanta Braves wrap up their Sunday slate at Truist Park on September 13, 2026, hosting the Philadelphia Phillies at 1:35 PM ET in a late-season NL matchup that carries legitimate weight for both clubs. Grant Holmes takes the ball for Atlanta against Philadelphia's Andrew Painter in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching duel between two right-side arms with something to prove. The Braves will lean on a lineup featuring Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley to do damage against a Phillies staff that travels well. Catch it on BravesVision or 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan.

Braves vs. Phillies Game Preview: Sunday, September 13, 2026

Starting Pitchers: Holmes and Painter Take Center Stage

Grant Holmes draws the assignment for Atlanta. Holmes has been part of the Braves rotation as the season has progressed, and this is a meaningful opportunity to deliver a quality start on a Sunday afternoon at home. For Philadelphia, Andrew Painter gets the nod — a young arm who has been one of the more closely watched pitchers in the Phillies organization in recent years. Neither starter's current season ERA was available at time of publication, so this one may come down to which pitcher commands the strike zone and limits traffic on the bases more effectively.

Atlanta Braves Lineup

• 1. Michael Harris II — CF
• 2. Ronald Acuña Jr. — DH
• 3. Matt Olson — 1B
• 4. Drake Baldwin — C
• 5. Mauricio Dubón — LF
• 6. Ozzie Albies — 2B
• 7. Austin Riley — 3B
• 8. Mike Yastrzemski — RF
• 9. Ha-Seong Kim — SS

Keys to Watch

• Acuña in the two-hole: Having Ronald Acuña Jr. hitting second behind Harris gives Atlanta an elite table-setter and a legitimate run-producer in the heart of the order early. If Harris gets on base, Acuña has the chance to do serious damage against Painter before the inning even reaches Olson.
• Olson and Riley vs. Painter: Matt Olson batting third and Austin Riley seventh gives Atlanta two power threats the Phillies staff cannot afford to get careless with. Both are capable of turning a single mistake into a multi-run swing.
• Holmes limiting the Phillies lineup: Philadelphia is not a lineup you can pitch around. Holmes needs to attack the zone early, manage pitch counts, and give the Atlanta bullpen some breathing room on a Sunday afternoon.
• Drake Baldwin behind the plate: Baldwin handles the game-calling duties and will be instrumental in how Holmes navigates the Phillies order. The battery chemistry on days like this matters.

Prediction

This is a game Atlanta needs to win at Truist Park. The home lineup is stacked top to bottom, and if Holmes can give the Braves five or six innings of competent work, the bullpen has a legitimate chance to close it out. Painter is talented, but facing Acuña, Olson, and Riley in a hitter-friendly environment on a Sunday afternoon is no easy task. Expect a competitive game that comes down to which offense does more against an unfamiliar starter. Edge: Braves, 4-3.