The Atlanta Braves are currently 7.5 games in front of their closest competitor in the National League East. If that lead were to hit 10 games this weekend, could the Brave use a different rotation strategy next week against the Cardinals?
The Atlanta Braves have added a host of games to their lead in the last two weeks. With the Philadelphia Phillies seemingly nipping at their heels as September opened, it’s not even halfway through the month, and the Braves could open up a 10-game or better lead on the division by the end of the weekend.
As the Atlanta Braves plan ahead to face the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, they could choose to alter their rotation to prepare against a potential playoff foe.
Currently, the rotation for this weekend’s series against the Nationals features Kevin Gausman, Julio Teheran, and Sean Newcomb. However, the Monday starter for the opening game against the Cardinals is listed as “TBA”.
Going on previous rotation, the starters for the series should be Mike Foltynewicz on Monday and Anibal Sanchez on Tuesday. However, with multiple starters available on the 40-man, it’s entirely feasible that the Atlanta Braves attack the St. Louis Cardinals series with two of the three games started by rookies, likely Touki Toussaint being one and the option of Max Fried, Kolby Allard, and perhaps even a bullpen game led by Bryse Wilson or Kyle Wright taking the other start.
With the possibility of facing the St. Louis Cardinals in the playoffs and the NL East in good hands, the Atlanta Braves could choose to start just one of Sanchez or Foltynewicz in the series, leaving the other to wait until Thursday’s all-important series against the Philadelphia Phillies, a series that could put the final death knell in the NL East if they Braves could enter that series with a 10-game lead and take 3 of 4.
With a hard-fought schedule in August that led to plenty of players finding themselves tired, including the starting staff, the coming two weeks could offer an opportunity for the Atlanta Braves to get some much-needed rest for arms as they prepare for the postseason.