Max Fried posted his best line of the year in one of the most significant games of the season with seven innings of one-hit ball and nine Ks. The first-year starter has busted right through the wall that most young arms hit towards the end of the year and is pitching better than he has at any point in his career. It’s obvious Fried thrives off the pressure and loves performing in big moments as he notched his team-leading 16th win of the season. He’s been outstanding, especially of late, but Fried’s not the only starting arm lighting the world on fire. Take a look at how the rest of the rotation has been:
Julio Teheran: 19 innings in his last three starts, 0.95 ERA
Mike Foltynewicz: 1-0 in his last four starts (team 4-0), 2.11 ERA, 21.1 innings, 17 Ks
Mike Soroka: 38.2 IP in 6 Starts, 3.03 ERA (1.01 WHIP in August), 25 K
Dallas Keuchel: 4-0 is his last 4 starts, 25 innings, 1.08 ERA
Max Fried: 40.1 IP in 7 Starts, 13 ER (5 Came in 1 Start), 1.29 WHIP, 51 K (Team 7-0)
These guys have been dealing, which in turn has taken a lot of pressure off the rest of the team, leading to 15 wins in their last 17 games. It’s no longer just Mike Soroka leading the way. Julio Teheran has been stellar since May. Mike Foltynewicz has begun to find his footing again. Dallas Keuchel has looked like a Cy Young in his last four outings. And Fried, he’s blossoming into a top-of-the-rotation arm. Starting pitching once looked like a weakness on this ball club. Now, it’s an overwhelming strength. Hopefully, they can carry this type of success into October because it will give the Braves a fair chance against anyone they encounter.