Max Fried is the Braves’ lone reliable starter for a reason
After Mike Soroka went down with a season-ending injury, the Braves have been unable to replace his production in the starting rotation, instead relying on Fried and a gang of misfits who have yet to fit the bill. Fried, however, is proving to be one of the best pitchers in baseball for a reason.
On Friday night, Fried mowed down the Phillies lineup, widening the Braves divisional advantage on Philadelphia at the same time. While he only went five innings, Fried gave up just two runs while striking out five. It’s a modest outing on his part, but one that gave Atlanta exactly what they needed.
Fried’s curveball was working overtime on Friday night
It takes a certain level of confidence and downright disrespect to throw the same breaking pitch three straight times and know the opposing batter won’t be able to make contact. Fried was dead right, however, so who are we to question his decision-making?
Despite a tough loss on Friday, the Phillies remain tough competition in a crowded NL East, especially after acquiring some bullpen help courtesy of the Boston Red Sox in Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree. The Braves ought to respond by adding some starting pitching help of their own, but that’s surely on Alex Anthopoulos’ to-do list.
For now, Atlanta is stuck with Fried giving them a surefire quality start every fifth day and trying to outscore the competition thanks to their elite-level lineup.