Coming into Tuesday night’s game, I didn’t think there needed to be a discussion about who the Braves should start in Game 3 of the NLDS. The answer was Bryce Elder, given Charlie Morton will miss the NLDS with a finger sprain.
The Braves don’t really have any other options, and Elder, for the most part, has been rock solid all season. However, I think I speak for everyone when I say the recent trends, including last night, have been concerning.
On Tuesday against the Cubs, Bryce Elder once again failed to make it out of the fourth inning. He gave up five earned runs and continued to struggle with his control. Over his last two starts, he’s walked nine batters in just 7.1 innings.
However, Elder’s struggles have extended much further than just his last couple of outings. In his last 14 starts, he has an ERA of 5.75, and opponents have an OPS of nearly .800 against him. The regression that everyone was expecting during the first half of the season has begun to rear its ugly head. It’s a learning curve that Bryce Elder will have to overcome, but can the Braves really risk him trying to figure it out on the biggest stage?
The answer isn’t simple, because they probably shouldn’t, but what better options do they have?
Kyle Wright is back and appears to be stretched out. However, he hasn’t looked anything like the pitcher he was a year ago when he won 21 games and finished inside the top 10 in the NL Cy Young race. Putting him out there to start a game right now is more like a Hail Mary, but it still might be a better option than Bryce Elder.
A bullpen game could also be an option. A combination of Wright, Chavez, and Tonkin may be the best course of action before handing the ball to the high-leverage arms. The several days off leading up to and during the NLDS should also be enough to keep all the relievers fresh, even if some are asked to go multiple innings.
Right now, there is no clear answer. Bryce Elder should make one more start before the end of the season, and that could decide whether he’s an option in the NLDS. If I had to guess right now, the Braves are probably leaning towards a hodgepodge of bullpen arms for Game 3, but perhaps Elder can change their minds with his final outing of the season.
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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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