When Will The Braves' Starting Pitching Start Pitching?
We are 14 games into the season- not even 10% of the schedule played, and there's an odd unsettling feeling about the Braves. They are 9-5, and perched atop the NL East by two games. But they have taken a major hit with the now- official loss of Spencer Strider for the entire season. This man, the ace– who dominated everything all through the Spring, who led the league in wins and strikeouts last year, who earned the Opening Day start-- is gone for the year.
.There's a big gaping hole in the rotation . Yes, there are four proven performers in the remainder of the rotation. But a 5.50 ERA for the starters over these 14 games says much. Among other things, the rejuvenated bullpen has been taxed , even with a couple of rainouts. This past weekend, the Braves eked out a series win over a poor Miami team using offensive resilience that is not always available in October.
And perhaps it would not be as daunting if we didn't have 2023 postseason still fresh in the rear view mirror. Last year, even with a record- setting year of offense, the Braves were summarily dumped by the Phillies because of a dearth of quality pitching when Atlanta needed it most. To be sure, and with the crazy run production numbers notwithstanding, it's a bit hard to believe what Snitker and crew were able to accomplish last year, what with the late-season pitching staff in tatters. The lesson there– again– was that pitching and defense usually prevail in short series. The more that baseball's postseason structure is modified, the less meaningful becomes the regular season record– provided that the record is sufficient to make the playoffs. If Braves fans want a happier example, consider 2021 when Atlanta didn't make it to .500 til the second half, but caught fire in time to cruise to a World Series title.
That said, we've got 148 games to go. Much can happen and some of those happenings will be just as unforeseeable as was Strider's injury last week.
And lest we forget, we have a GM with a fantastic track record for plugging gaps in a creative and timely way. So it's a bit early to panic. The hitters will hit. The defense will be sound. The bullpen is stronger than a year ago.
But we need the starting pitchers to do their thing . Fried, Sale, Morton and Lopez can certainly be a quality top four. But over the next five- plus months, we need more from the starters than what they've shown so far.
Patrick Conarro
RamblinSports.com