The Braves are playing their best baseball of the season and couldn’t have picked a better time to do it. Last night, it was Max Fried leading the club past the Royals, tossing 8.2 innings of scoreless ball in under 100 pitches.
The win puts the Braves in a tie with the Diamondbacks and Mets in the National League Wild Card race, with the Braves currently owning the tiebreaker over both clubs. Everything is right in front of Atlanta with just four games to play, and the club is also getting healthier by the day.
Getting Ozzie Albies back into the lineup has undoubtedly had a massive positive impact on the offense. The Braves lineup finally has a little bit of depth to go with its outstanding pitching staff, which is about to get another tremendous boost.
Reynaldo Lopez is eligible to come off the IL today, and the Braves aren’t wasting any time. He’s already thrown two bullpens, feels great, and will start for the team on Saturday.
“I’ve got experience coming out of the bullpen. I've got experience as starter. I am ready and willing to do whatever is need to help the team win.”
Reynaldo López provides an update on how he is feeling🔊 pic.twitter.com/RMyEFQYY76
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 26, 2024
Reynaldo López will start tomorrow
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) September 28, 2024
Reynaldo Lopez has been spectacular for the Braves all season, owning a 2.03 ERA over 24 starts and making his first ever All-Star Game. However, he has battled some fatigue issues in the second half of the season, spending two separate stints on the IL.
That had many questioning what his role might be when he does return, but it looks like the Braves were just playing it safe by placing him on the IL. Reynaldo Lopez is ready to rock and getting him back a full strength is yet another boost for a club that’s starting to build a lot of momentum with October around the corner.
—
Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.