Atlanta Braves job opening: Saturday, June 30th at Busch Stadium, St. Louis on the mound
Braves lost another starting pitcher, now who fills his spot?
News broke very early on Thursday that the Atlanta Braves will place starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy on the 10-day disabled list with right knee tendinitis. Bad news for a starting rotation that’s been hit by the injury bug recently. The big question now is, who starts in McCarthy rotation turn?
Julio Teheran had his “thumb” issue, Mike Foltynewicz had the right tricep tightness, Anibal Sanchez dealt with cramping in his calf during his last start, and now McCarthy. This has all happened within the last month. Fingers crossed on Sean Newcomb.
McCarthy was scheduled to be on the mound for the Braves on Saturday night against the St. Louis Cardinals. The 34-year-old is 6-3 with a 4.92 ERA in 15 starts for the Braves in 2018. He’s collected 65 strikeouts and 21 walks given up.
The big righty started his season off pretty well in March/April and held a 3.04 ERA heading into May. In five starts in May, his ERA jumped to 7.46 and has just pitched okay in June.
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Was this a move to clear his mind and try to give him some rest? Was this another one of those “injuries”?
In any way, let’s look at the 40-man roster for our options on Saturday.
I see five names that could potential start for the Braves that are on the 40-man roster. Max Fried, Luiz Gohara, Wes Parsons, Lucas Sims, and Matt Wisler.
Gohara has had a horrible start to the 2018 season. With the Atlanta Braves, in the minors and off the field life. I still think he has a tremendously bright future, but I don’t think he gets the nod.
Parsons was just optioned back down to Gwinnett on Thursday.
Sims was just optioned back down to Gwinnett on Tuesday and is pitching tonight with the Gwinnett Stripers.
Wisler was called up to the Braves on Thursday and has a good chance at starting on Saturday. Though, I wish this wasn’t in the picture. The 25-year-old holds a 4.32 ERA in six appearances with the Atlanta Braves in 2018. He’s actually showed signs of being something special…his April 19th game against the Mets (when the Mets were still actually a good team), he went seven innings, giving up two hits and one run while striking out eight.
Fried is someone I hope the Braves take a long look at for this start. The 24-year-old started for the Braves on May 28th against the Mets and went five innings, gave up four hits, one earned run and had six strikeouts. He’s appeared four other times this season for the Braves. The lefty last pitched for the Stripers on Sunday.
For those asking about Kolby Allard, he just pitched in Gwinnett on Tuesday. Four day rest wouldn’t align with this Saturday night start.
Could the Braves get creative and move Folty up a day? Now that’s a possibility. He last pitched on Monday against the Reds. With the off day today, Saturday would be the appropriate amount of days off for him.
DO it Braves!!
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As we sit on Thursday afternoon, it sounds as though it’s between Wisler and Fried. The Braves may be waiting to announce anything until after the game on Friday to see if Wisler is needed on Friday.
Even if Wisler isn’t used out of the bullpen on Friday, I’m still team Fried…or Allard if that’s an option. Who’s with me?!?