Coming into the weekend, the Braves were on a 14-game win streak but dropped two out of three to the lowly Cubs. The streak was always going to come to an end, but the way it did in Chicago was disappointing. However, it wasn’t all bad in the Windy City. Atlanta’s starters have been a reliable facet of the club for much of the season, led by Max Fried, Kyle Wright, and Spencer Strider, but it was outings from Charlie Morton and Ian Anderson over the weekend that should encourage Braves Country.
Prior to his gem on Friday, Morton boasted an eye-sore of an ERA (5.67) while allowing opposing batters to hit .269. It’s been a slow start for the veteran righty, but against the Cubs, he looked like the Charlie Morton of old. He struck out nine without walking a batter. Despite coughing up three singles and hitting two batters, Morton cruised through seven innings and was left with a no-decision as Atlanta was handed a 1-0 loss. Over his last three starts, he’s registered a 29-to-4 K/BB and brought his ERA down to 5.08, which is still disappointing but churning in the right direction.
Following a forgettable Kyle Wright performance on Saturday, Ian Anderson tossed a beauty, allowing no runs on three hits while striking out six and walking two in 6.2 innings. He threw 59 of 99 pitches for strikes, and it was the first appearance where Anderson didn’t allow an earned run, lowering his ERA to 4.35. Despite his six wins this year, the young righty is still finding his groove; Sunday’s outing looks to be a step in the right direction, though.
Through about 40% of the season, the Braves rotation is beginning to solidify. If these two outings are what’s to come from Morton and Anderson, the Braves will boast one of the most formidable starting rotations in baseball. Fried is a legit Cy Young candidate. Kyle Wright might have stumbled on Saturday, but that’s more atypical of who he’s been this season. Spencer Strider is emerging as a Rookie of the Year candidate. And now, if Morton and Anderson regain form, the Braves’ 1-5 should be considered among the best rotations in baseball.
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