Bryce Elder will pitch for the Atlanta Braves as they aim to maintain their series-winning streak against the Seattle Mariners. The game is critical for Elder, who has struggled recently, and will take place on May 5 at T-Mobile Park.
Key points
Bryce Elder pitches for the Atlanta Braves
Braves aim to maintain their series-winning streak
Elder has struggled in recent starts
Game scheduled for May 5 at T-Mobile Park
Opponent is George Kirby of the Seattle Mariners
Atlanta BravesSeattle MarinersBryce ElderGeorge Kirby
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 30: Bryce Elder #55 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch in the first inning during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Truist Park on April 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/IOS/Getty Images) | Getty Images
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 30: Bryce Elder #55 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch in the first inning during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Truist Park on April 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/IOS/Getty Images) | Getty Images
So, itās come down to this. With the 2026 Bravesā havenāt-lost-a-series-yet streak on the line, itās up to Bryce Elder and his teammates to win tonight, and then hopefully win tomorrow as well to keep it rolling.
Elder started off the season in exciting fashion, with three stellar starts and one hiccup. Since then, there hasnāt been much to write home about unless you really enjoy penning missives about his low HR/FB rate. He had a 6/2 K/BB ratio with a dinger given up against the Nationals, then a 2/1 K/BB ratio in seven innings (somehow) against the Phillies, and then a really weird start last time out where he had a 5/3 K/BB ratio and the lowest groundball rate of his career against the Tigers. The Braves lost each of those last two outings.
On the season, Elder has a 46/78/97 line (ERA-/FIP-/xFIP-). Over those last three starts, itās 78/88/111. For his career, his line is now 102/104/100. For all the changes heās made, heās definitely looked, in aggregate, like the same olā Bryce Elderā¦ just with all the benefits that come with a much lower HR/FB rate.
Elderās mound opponent will be George Kirby, who has had a much better career to date, but has a similar-if-you-squint 2026. Kirby was a bit homer-prone (three dingers) but highly effective in his first four outings (83/92/80), but has been more meh and reliant on not giving up homers in three starts since (66/87/107). Even so, the have won all three of those outings, and four of his starts in a row overall. This game could very well come down to which hurler the HR/FB gods decide to smile on with greater frequency.
Overall, Kirby is a very good 93/82/84 guy for his career, with over 4 fWAR per 200 innings pitched accumulated so far. He had a couple of 4+ fWAR seasons in 2023 and 2024, and couldāve gotten somewhere around there in 2025 had he not gotten a late start due to some inflammation in his throwing shoulder. Heās probably something like a top 20 arm in MLB, though his strikeout rate is seriously diminished this year, which appears to be related to some issues heās having getting his four-seamer to carry the way it did previously.
Elder has one career start against the Mariners, which came in Atlanta back when he was Good Start of 2023 Elder: a 6/1 K/BB ratio in six innings. Kirby has two career starts against the Braves: one where he dominated them in 2022 in , and another where he lasted seven innings but took a loss despite a 6/1 K/BB ratio thanks to a dinger and some other well-struck balls back in 2023.
With back in the fold and everyone in the bullpen theoretically available sans , who gave up the game-winning homer last night, the Braves could have an opportunity to shorten the game ā provided that Elder, HR/FB, and the bats-versus-Kirby cooperate.
Q&A
What is Bryce Elder's recent performance leading up to the game?
Bryce Elder has had mixed results, with a 6/2 K/BB ratio in one start and a 5/3 K/BB ratio in another, but he has lost his last two outings.
Who is Bryce Elder facing in the upcoming game?
Elder will face George Kirby, who has had a strong career but has shown some inconsistency in his recent starts.
What is at stake for the Braves in this game?
The Braves are looking to extend their streak of not losing a series, making this game crucial for their momentum.
When and where is the Braves vs. Mariners game taking place?
The game is scheduled for May 5 at 9:40 p.m. EDT at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, WA.
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**Game Date/Time:**Tuesday, May 5, 9:40 p.m. EDT
**Location:**Ā T-Mobile Park, Seattle, WA
**TV:**Ā BravesVision, Gray TV
**Streaming:**Ā MLB.tv (and Braves.tv if youāre in-market, etc.)
**Radio:**Ā 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan
