Mad Max Muzzles The Marlins

Max Fried dominated the Miami Marlins Tuesday night to lead his Braves to a 5-0 win. Fried sailed a smooth course on his way to his second win of the young season, striking out six, walking none and allowing only three hits.

As notable as that performance was, the manner in which Fried did it was just as impressive. His approach was laser- focused and no -nonsense. As soon as the batter stepped in, Mad Max was on the sign and into his delivery. He was pro-active . Aggressive. He controlled the agenda of each at- bat. He faced only 29 batters and threw only 92 pitches in a complete game.

For those who saw it, this game called to mind his win in Game 6 that nailed down the Braves' 2021 World Series win over the Houston Astros.

In that game, Fried dominated the Astros. But that aggressive style didn't announce itself until after he was stepped on in a close and awkward play at first base in the first inning. On a play that was actually a missed call by the umpire, Houston's Michael Brantley was called safe at first on a grounder when he stepped down hard onto Fried's right ankle, and never touched first base. The contact was hard and looked to be painful. It set the Astros up with two runners with nobody out . In that moment, Fried was equal to the challenge, setting the Atros down from there and proceeding with six more shutout innings before handing off the ball --and a six- run lead– to Tyler Matzek in the seventh inning.

In that game three years ago, Max Fried seemed to gain focus and determination after the ankle stomp/ " error " that got him into a first inning jam. He seemed mad. There was a new energy, even a low level fury, to his work.

And though it was only the first inning, that moment was pivotal as the Astros were looking to tie up the Series in Game 6 and set up a Game 7 at home.

Recall that Fried's first start in that World Ssries had not gone well. That's when this different Max Fried appeared. Mad Max lived in the lowest part of the strike zone, moving the ball in and out with authority, keeping a talented Houston line-up on their collective heels.

Now return to April 2024. In Fried's fisrt several starts he looked tentative. His one win coming into this game resulted from a bailout by the Braves' bats.

It was not until this game against the Marlins that Mad Max re-appeared. Again he worked the bottom of the strike zone, moving in and out and changing speeds. Again he dictated the pace, moving with focus and alacrity.

Watching him work, it occurred to me that his substance and style bring to mind the Dodgers' ace of old, Orel Hershiser. Like him, Fried is tall (6-4") and relatively slight ( 190 lbs). He looks youthful, almost boyish, and he speaks softly and without outward passion. His facial expression lends no clue to the situation at hand, good or bad. Indeed, he is largely expression-less.

Back in the '80s, in an effort to fan the competitive fire in the studious -looking Hershiser, manager Tommy Lasorda nicknamed him Bulldog. Maybe it worked. Something did, because Hershiser went on to have several stellar years for the Dodgers, including a 1988 season in which he was almost unbelievably dominant in leading L.A. to a World Series win.

Maybe it's a coincidence, but it sure seems like Max Fried performs better when he is annoyed and a little angry. So maybe he needs a nickname too.

Take a page from Lasorda and go with a dog breed?Rottweiler?

How about the plain and simple Mad Max?

Or Hopping Mad Max? Frothing Max Fried?

I like Aggra- Max. It's concise and stout and conveys the mindset.

Whatever the appellation, the Braves need Fried to be on his game throughout 2024. He is the staff ace. If they are to go places this year , they need Aggra- Max to be at his zealous best. Ideally, minus any ankle stomps.

Patrick Conarro

RamblinSports.com

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