Fansided

25 most important stars for MLB playoffs

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees follows through on a sixth inning home run against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 21, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees follows through on a sixth inning home run against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 21, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 27: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch in the second inning of their game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 27, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 27: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch in the second inning of their game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 27, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

21. Dallas Keuchel

The Atlanta Braves made one of the shrewdest signings of the year when they agreed to terms with starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel after the penalty for signing free agents with the qualifying offer attached to them lifted. The former Cy Young has been a great investment for the Braves on a $13-million deal, and the investment is now set to really start paying off. Keuchel has always been at his best in the postseason.

As has been the case for other free agents forced to sit out the first two months of the season waiting for a deal, Keuchel got off to a slow start in Atlanta. He had a 5.06 ERA in his first two starts in June and yielded a .356/.420/.711 line with three home runs allowed. After working himself into shape, it’s been vintage Keuchel for the Braves.

Keuchel posted a 3.62 ERA over his final 17 starts of the season and limited the home runs. He also continued his long career trend of pitching his best at home, no small feat considering how much of a launching pad SunTrust Park has turned into. In 10 starts at home, Keuchel posted a 2.74 ERA and allowed only five home runs in 62.1 innings.

The Braves pinned their hopes on an ability to develop young pitching, and have certainly gotten a season to remember from rookie Mike Soroka. In the postseason, however, leaning on an established veteran to get the job done takes pressure off the entire staff. Keuchel has been a stud in 51.2 career postseason innings, with a 4-2 record and 3.31 ERA. He will be a tough matchup for the middling St. Louis lineup in the NLDS.

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