Fresh off a World Series title, the Braves have been even better in 2022 because of their rotation’s development. Everyone knew about Max Fried and Charlie Morton coming into the season, but it’s been the historic performances from Spencer Strider and Kyle Wright that have taken this unit to the next level. On Sunday, Strider became the fastest pitcher ever to 200 strikeouts, breaking Randy Johnson‘s record. And yesterday, Wright came up with his 19th win, inching him one step closer to becoming just the seventh Braves pitcher to reach the 20-win mark in a single season.
It was more of the same yesterday for Wright against the Nationals, who he moved to 3-0 against on the season. For four innings, the Vanderbilt product was flawless; however, he did run into some trouble in the fifth, allowing two Nationals to score on a couple of soft hits, but Wright was able to settle down and pitch a scoreless sixth before he was replaced by Jesse Chavez and the Braves bullpen.
It was one of those nearly perfectly played games by the Braves in all phases. Kyle Wright did his job, the bats came up with five runs, and the bullpen only allowed one baserunner to reach over three innings of work. With 15 games left in the season, Wright will have at least two more chances to earn his 20th win, and it could be three if the NL East comes down to the final day of the season.
Following last night’s slate of games, the Braves still trail the Mets by one game in the NL East. New York defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in impressive fashion, led by Max Scherzer, who didn’t allow a baserunner through six innings of work. Had he not been coming off an injury, there’s a chance he could have tossed a perfect game. The Braves and Mets will meet for a three-game set at Truist Park to end the month, and it’s beginning to feel like that series will determine who wins what has been undoubtedly the most competitive division in baseball this season.
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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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