Ray Kerr

Kerr did an exceptional job in that role in a must-win situation in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series against the Phillies, allowing just one hit and one walk over 3 1/3 scoreless innings. The expectation is that once again Grant Holmes will follow him in a bulk role, though that has not been confirmed yet.

The 32-year-old southpaw struck out two batters in the brilliant performance. He allowed a one-out single to Kyle Schwarber in the first inning and then walked Schwarber to open the fourth. That was the extent of the traffic against him and the Phillies never really threatened. Kerr threw a season-high 47 pitches in the game, getting five swings and misses while registering a CSW of 23 percent. He didn’t pitch deep enough to factor into the decision, but Kerr was a major part of the reason why the Braves are advancing to the NLDS.

The plan is for Grant Holmes to operate as a bulk reliever, but it will be Kerr who opens the game. The left-hander pitched to a 1.47 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, and 11/2 K/BB ratio in 18 1/3 innings for the Braves this season. Lefties hit .174 off of him with just one extra-base hit in 26 batters faced, so his job will be to keep Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper from doing damage in the first inning.

Kerr was solid over three innings of work, allowing just two hits and a walk while keeping the Marlins off the board. He was relieved by Grant Holmes at the start of the fourth inning and will likely revert back to the bullpen for the Braves’ final two games of the season.

Kerr will be on the bump and likely go around three innings before giving way to a reliever. He’s done a nice job since being promoted in August with a 1.76 ERA, but seems likely to give way to the bullpen before he’d be eligible for a win.

The 31-year-old southpaw has finally made it all the way back after undergoing surgery in June o 2024 to repair a torn UCL in his pitching elbow. He made nine appearances across four minor league levels, posting a 3.09 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and a 16/5 K/BB ratio across 11 2/3 innings. He should provide a nice boost to the Braves’ bullpen.

The Braves thought they might have something in Kerr, a former Padres reliever, a couple of years ago, but he got hurt that June and has gone the last two years without pitching in a game. He’s finally ready to now, but he’s going to have to prove himself all over again in the minors. The 31-year-old has a 5.30 ERA in 54 1/3 career innings in the majors, though it comes with a pretty nice 65/20 K/BB.