Giants Face Braves in Atlanta as Houser Starts Game 73 of 2026 Season

On Thursday afternoon, the San Francisco Giants will take on the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, a clash that could influence the National League East standings. The game opens at 4:15 p.m. Pacific Time and marks the 73rd encounter of the 2026 season for both clubs. San Francisco arrives with a 29‑43 record, while Atlanta boasts a 46‑25 mark.

This season is the Giants’ 144th in Major League Baseball and their 69th since relocating to San Francisco. Since moving to Oracle Park in 1998, the franchise has built a legacy of 23 National League pennants and eight World Series titles, yet 2026 has been a struggle to find consistent offense and pitching depth.

Atlanta, founded in 1871 as the Boston Red Stockings, holds the title of the oldest continuously operating professional sports franchise in North America. The Braves have captured 23 division titles, 18 National League pennants, and four World Series championships. Their 46‑25 record places them near the top of the National League East, positioning them strongly in the playoff race.

Right‑hander Adrian Houser will start for the Giants. Houser’s season statistics include a 5.54 earned run average (ERA), a 5.18 fielding independent pitching (FIP) rating, 46 strikeouts, and 24 walks over 65 innings pitched. His most recent outing was a 6‑3 loss to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, in which he allowed three runs on four hits and recorded six strikeouts in four and a third innings.

Atlanta’s starter will be right‑hander Grant Holmes. Holmes has a 4.05 ERA and a 5.26 FIP for the season, with 59 strikeouts and 29 walks in 66.2 innings. His last outing was a 6‑5 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, where he gave up three runs on four hits, struck out two, and walked two in three and two‑thirds innings.

The series is the first of a three‑game stretch for the Giants and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area for the regional audience. Radio coverage is available on KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM and KSFN 1510 AM.

The matchup offers the Giants a chance to improve their record against a division rival and gives the Braves an opportunity to extend their winning streak. Early-season performance has highlighted the Giants’ need for stronger pitching and offensive consistency, while the Braves’ success has been built on a solid rotation and a potent lineup.

Both teams will rely on their starting pitchers to set the tone. Houser’s recent outings have shown a mix of control issues and the ability to strike out batters, while Holmes has demonstrated a higher strikeout rate but also a higher walk total. The outcome will hinge on how each pitcher manages the opposing lineups and how the teams execute on offense.

At present, the Giants are in a rebuilding phase, whereas the Braves are positioned for a deep playoff run. The game’s result will serve as an early indicator of how each team’s pitching staff and hitters will perform in the weeks ahead.