The Philadelphia Phillies head to Truist Park for a Sunday afternoon showdown with the Atlanta Braves, first pitch set for 1:35 PM ET on September 13, 2026. Andrew Painter gets the ball for Philadelphia against Atlanta's Grant Holmes in what shapes up as a pivotal regular-season contest between two NL East rivals. With the calendar turning deep into September, every game against a division opponent carries real weight in the standings — and a road win against the Braves would be a statement.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Andrew Painter vs. Grant Holmes
Painter draws the start for the Phillies in this one. The young right-hander has been one of the more compelling stories in Philadelphia's rotation, and a start on the road against a division rival in September is exactly the kind of moment that defines a pitcher's season. The Phillies will need him to go deep and limit damage against an Atlanta lineup that plays well at home.
Holmes gets the nod for the Braves. He's a name worth watching, capable of keeping hitters off balance, but the Phillies have faced plenty of challenges on the road this season and have the lineup to make any starter work for outs.
Keys to Watch in Sunday's Game
- Painter's command on the road: Truist Park is a tough environment. How Painter handles the Braves' lineup early in the game will set the tone. If he can work efficiently through the first three innings, the Phillies are in good shape.
- Philadelphia's offense against Holmes: The Phillies will need to make Holmes uncomfortable early. Getting runners on base and forcing Atlanta's bullpen into action gives Philadelphia its best path to a road win.
- Bullpen management: In a late-September game of this magnitude, how each manager deploys his relief corps could be decisive. The Phillies' bullpen depth will be tested if Painter doesn't log a full start.
- Division stakes: September matchups between NL East rivals carry implicit playoff implications. Philadelphia's approach — aggressive or patient — at the plate will say something about where this team is mentally heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Prediction
This is a game the Phillies need to take seriously on the road. Painter is a capable arm, and if he's on, Philadelphia has enough offense to scratch out a win against Holmes. The edge goes to whichever team executes early and keeps the other's lineup from getting comfortable. Call it a tight game with the Phillies finding a way to steal one in Atlanta — edge Philadelphia, 4-3.
Catch the game on NBCSP or on the radio at 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan. First pitch at Truist Park is 1:35 PM ET.
