The Braves rotation has been laughably bad since the All-Star break, and unfortunately, it didn’t end this afternoon with Bryce Elder on the mound.
Like the previous few nights, Elder settled in nicely to begin the game, tossing two scoreless frames, but things unraveled in the third, leading to three runs. More trouble then arrived in the sixth, as a double put runners on second and third with nobody out, signaling the end of the day for Elder, whose ERA continues to spike after an incredible first half of the season.
If it’s any consolation, Elder joins the great Yonny Chirinos as the only pitchers to go five innings over the last five games.
Chirinos and Elder are the only Braves starters to last at least five innings over the past five games. Don't try to figure it out. Just enjoy the unpredictability of this great game.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 10, 2023
Yes, it’s been that pathetic. As Bowman also notes, the Braves’ 6.15 ERA from their starting pitchers is the second-worst in baseball since the All-Star break.
The Braves will exit this series without MLB's worst starter's ERA since the break. Their 6.15 ERA is just slightly better than the Pirates' 6.21 ERA during this span.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 10, 2023
Joe Jimenez would relieve Elder in the sixth, and while he would not give up a run himself, he couldn’t prevent the two baserunners he inherited from scoring, giving the Pirates the lead.
Pittsburgh would then add two more in the seventh off of Brad Hand, the first two runs he’s allowed in four appearances since joining the Braves at the trade deadline.
Unfortunately, it was just one of those games for Atlanta. The bats started the afternoon hot, then didn’t make a peep for five innings. They finally showed some life in the ninth, but their comeback attempt fell one home run short. Ultimately, the pitching staff couldn’t hold the lead, resulting in a disappointing four-game split in Pittsburgh.
There are some legitimate concerns right now with the rotation. That’s undeniable. Thankfully, the playoffs don’t start tomorrow. There is plenty of time for these guys to figure things out and look much better in six weeks. That’s the ultimate goal. Just like hitters, pitchers go through slumps as well. It just usually doesn’t happen to an entire rotation all at once.
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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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