House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves 2018 Season Review: May

By Benjamin Chase

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 20: Dansby Swanson #7 (L) of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Ronald Acuna, Jr. #13 and Johan Camargo #17 (R) after Swanson hit a two-run, game-winning walkoff single in the ninth inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on May 20, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 20: Dansby Swanson #7 (L) of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Ronald Acuna, Jr. #13 and Johan Camargo #17 (R) after Swanson hit a two-run, game-winning walkoff single in the ninth inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on May 20, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Atlanta Braves
ATLANTA, GA. – JUNE 13: Dan Winkkler #58 of the Atlanta Braves throws an eighth inning pitch against the New York Mets at SunTrust Field on June 13, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves top March/April pitcher

With an elite starter and an elite reliever on the month to pick from, the choice for the best arm of May is a tough one. First, though, let’s look at the leaders for the month:

Let’s lay this out overall:
Dan Winkler – 12 G, 10 1/3 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.58 WHIP, 1/15 BB/K
Sean Newcomb – 6 GS, 35 IP, 1.54 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 16/30 BB/K

How on earth do you decide between those two dominant performances? Both Winkler and Newcomb were incredible over the month, and both deserve the recognition, so that’s what we’re going to do here.

More from Tomahawk Take

Dan Winkler was coming off of a great April already, but his May was the peak of his 2018 season, which was a very good year until he wore down at the end. Incredibly, with a perfect inning against Washington on June 3rd, Winkler sat with a 0.74 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, and 6/35 BB/K ratio over 24 1/3 innings at that point. He ran into some speed bumps in June and then really wore down in the second half of the season, but that start to the season was absolutely incredible.

For Newcomb, while Folty established himself at the top of the rotation in 2018, Sean established himself firmly in the Atlanta Braves future in the rotation with his performance. The beginning of the month for Newcomb was incredible, as he was in his 4th start of May before he allowed his first run.

Just like Winkler was hot into June, Newcomb finished his first start in June against the San Diego Padres with a 7-1 record over 12 starts and 68 2/3 innings, posting a 2.49 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and a 33/68 BB/K ratio on the season at that point. He had allowed just 3 home runs over his first 68 2/3 innings as well.

Next. Braves 2019 draft - first look. dark

That’s our look at the Atlanta Braves in May. Come back for more reviews coming each day over the rest of the month!

Home/Braves News