The Atlanta Braves have two very talented youngsters pitching against the Yankees
Ever since Mike Soroka’s injury early in the 2020 season, even the staunchest of Atlanta Braves fans have had to cover their eyes when watching their pitching staff, as only Max Fried seems to be able to get hitters out on a regular basis. For that first time in what feels like forever, Braves fans can actually expect some great pitching in a doubleheader against the New York Yankees, as two of their youngest and best arms will toe the rubber.
In Wednesday’s doubleheader, the Braves will force rookie Ian Anderson to make his MLB debut in Game 1, while rock-solid lefty Fried will get the ball in Game 2.
Fried and Anderson, along with Mike Soroka, could anchor the Braves’ rotation for the next decade
Fried has been the one competent starter this season for Atlanta, as his 1.32 ERA in six starts has put him firmly in the Cy Young race. With just 22 hits allowed and a grand total of zero home runs surrendered, Fried should present quite the interesting challenge for the Yankees due to his utterly preposterous curveball.
Anderson is a former No. 3 overall pick with the stuff to last a decade in this league. While his fastball sits in the mid-90s and has some late tail on it, his two best pitches are a filthy curveball and an improving changeup he has been throwing with more regularity in 2020. Even if he doesn’t emerge as a superstar instantly, his potential is so mouth-watering that he is worth developing.
Atlanta has enough stars in the lineup to do damage, but this club’s championship chances are going to be determined by how this rotation, led by Fried and Anderson, performs in the second half of the season.