The Atlanta Braves wrap up their Sunday afternoon series at Truist Park when they welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks for a 1:35 PM ET first pitch on August 16, 2026. Bryce Elder gets the ball for Atlanta, facing a Diamondbacks club sending Michael Soroka — yes, that Michael Soroka — to the mound in a matchup that carries real intrigue. This is regular-season baseball with playoff implications baked into every inning, and a home crowd at Truist Park will be watching closely as these two franchises with legitimate postseason ambitions battle for a series result.
Pitching Matchup: Bryce Elder vs. Michael Soroka
Bryce Elder has carved out a role in Atlanta's rotation by doing what he does best — generating soft contact, working deep into games, and keeping his team in ballgames even when his stuff isn't electric. Elder is not a strikeout machine, but he is a competitor who understands how to pitch. His ability to command both sides of the plate and mix his offerings gives the Braves a steady hand on a Sunday afternoon getaway game.
On the other side, Michael Soroka makes this one genuinely compelling. Soroka, of course, spent years working his way back through Atlanta's system after a devastating series of Achilles injuries derailed what looked like a breakout career. He is now in Arizona, and stepping back into Truist Park as an opponent is a storyline that writes itself. Soroka knows this ballpark, knows this organization, and will almost certainly bring extra motivation to the start. Braves fans who watched him grind through his rehab years will have complicated feelings — respect, nostalgia, and a firm desire to see Elder win this one.
Keys to Watch for Atlanta
- Elder's ground-ball rate: If Elder is getting Diamondbacks hitters to roll over pitches and work within his game plan, Atlanta's defense should be able to do the rest. Discipline on the mound is the key metric here.
- Lineup production against Soroka: Soroka is a sinker-heavy pitcher who can suppress offense when his command is sharp. Atlanta's lineup will need to work counts, get on base early, and avoid the passive at-bats that ground-ball pitchers invite.
- Bullpen management: Sunday afternoon games can drag, and getting Elder through five or six quality innings sets up Atlanta's relief options cleanly. Overextending him or going to the pen too early both carry risk.
- The emotional factor: Soroka at Truist Park is not a neutral event. Whether that energy benefits Atlanta's hitters or sharpens Soroka's focus is genuinely unpredictable — but it is worth watching from the first pitch.
Broadcast Information
Atlanta fans can catch the game on BravesVision or listen locally on 680 AM and 93.7 FM The Fan. Arizona coverage is available on DBACKS.TV and Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. Spanish-language listeners can tune to La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM or La Campesina 101.9 FM and 860 AM.
Prediction
This is a winnable game for Atlanta, and the home environment at Truist Park gives the Braves an edge. Elder is built for exactly this type of start — a Sunday afternoon game where command and consistency matter more than overpowering stuff. Soroka will be sharp and motivated, but Atlanta's lineup should find enough against him to generate a lead the bullpen can protect. Braves win a close one, 4-2.
