The Atlanta Braves will be hoping to see solid stuff from Mike Soroka and Max Fried in simulated games.
The Atlanta Braves are gearing up for what is expected to be a scrappy fight to the finish in the NL East, and the first order of business is making sure that their young studs in the starting rotation are razor-sharp heading into the season.
Per Mark Bowman, the Braves will conduct a simulated game within the next two days. Among those scheduled to pitch are Mike Soroka, Max Fried, Shane Greene, and Josh Tomlin.
The Braves will stage simulated games the next two days. Soroka, Fried, Tomlin and Greene are scheduled to throw tomorrow.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 7, 2020
Bowman also confirmed that umpires will be present at this game, as manager Brian Snitker wants this exercise is to simulate the feeling of an actual game.
Atlanta Braves pitchers will look to get back on track.
While the 22-year-old Soroka’s 2.68 ERA almost netted him Rookie of the Year honors, Fried was quietly impressive in his own right. He won 17 games and struck out more than a batter per inning during his first full season as a starter.
Greene’s 2.30 ERA in 2019 looks nice at face value, but his ERA with Atlanta following a trade from the Detroit Tigers was 4.01, which is as average as it gets for a reliever. 2020 could be a make or break year for him. Tomlin reinvented himself as a reliever in Atlanta after nine seasons with the Cleveland Indians, posting a 3.74 ERA in 2019.
For the Braves to stand a chance, Soroka and Fried will need to replicate their solid 2019 seasons, while Greene will need to take to a middle relief role after losing out on his chance to own the ninth inning.
The Braves know that repeating in 2020 will be as daunting a task as the organization has faced in several years. Not only will their vaunted lineup need to exceed already lofty expectations, but an unheralded pitching staff will need to show that the nightmare that was the 2019 NLDS is firmly in the rearview mirror.
If Soroka’s famous sinker and Fried’s filthy curveball are clicking in these simulated games, expect the Braves to come out of the gates strong in 2020.