Atlanta Braves postseason: How do they spell relief?
By Fred Owens
Seeing the Atlanta Braves bullpen take over a game this season causes consternation, frustration, and probably increased the sale of adult beverages.
The Atlanta Braves took the second game of the series from the Phillies on Friday night and for the second night, the starter pitched into the seventh inning. Those efforts not only kept the weakest links in the bullpen out of the game, but it also allowed some very tired arms to get some rest.
Postseason play requires a dependable bullpen, however, and asking how the Braves achieve that is the $64,000 question.
Those of us who watched every game and saw what we considered an awful bullpen come in and give away games probably believe results made them one of the league’s worst. In fact, they were a pretty average bullpen across the board.
During the ‘second half’ of the season, the pen has a 3.95 ERA… 13th in baseball, and behind all other current NL playoff teams except the Cardinals.
The kicker comes, as you might suspect, in walks per nine where the Braves rank dead last. In the postseason league average isn’t good enough.
No decisions yet
The Atlanta Braves brain trust haven’t made any final decisions about their postseason pitching staff; at least none they’ll discuss publicly Manager Brian Snitker said as much after Thursday night’s game.
"“We’re still talking about things,” Snitker said. “I just want to focus on winning tonight.”"
Only four starters will be needed for the five-game NLDS and I discussed those options two days ago. Julio Teheran’s performance against the Phillies Friday night almost certainly means Sean Newcomb isn’t on the roster.
Although Alan suggested Teheran might be a long relief option, Mark Bowman (linked above) opined that the Braves didn’t see either of those starters as long relief options.
If the Braves start on the Road, I think Mike Foltynewicz gets the nod with Anibal Sanchez pitching game two, Kevin Gausman starting game three and Julio Teheran game four. That would mean Folty comes back for game five.
How many and what kind
The everyday player roster determines how many spots are left for relief pitchers – though this year it seemed to be the other way around – and seems a straightforward selection.
No Lane Adams, Adam Duvall, Ryan Flaherty or Preston Tucker on my list: there’s no room. I’ve taken three catchers but it’s possible Adams or Tucker could get that spot.
Disabled list rules mean a gimpy catcher would be carried hoping he’d be ready for the next series. I’d take the third catcher at least for the first two series.