3 takeaways as Atlanta Braves wait it out, walk it off on Friday
No Margin for Error
4 pitchers combined to shut out the Marlins on this night, with McCann guiding them through the process.
We had “Good Julio” back in action, though it was a tightrope walk at times: 6 innings, 5 hits and 2 walks allowed, but 6 strikeouts among 103 pitches.
The bullpen combined to yield 2 hits and 1 walk – separate innings for each – over 3 innings. Each reliever struck out 2 Miami batters to dampen thoughts of a rally.
Luke Jackson allowed a lead-off double to Jorge Alfaro in the 9th, but then proceeded to get his 2 strikeouts, then coaxing a dangerous Brian Anderson to hit a deep (though lazy) flyout to deep-ish center field.
Alfaro never was able to move off of second base.
This is going to continue to be a tough stretch for the pitching staff while things are being patched together.
The All-Star Break comes at a great time for the Braves as a result: everybody can get healed up, rehabbed up, and readied for the dog days of Summer.
Speaking of Rehabs
Mike Foltynewicz threw 5 innings on Thursday night: 2 earned runs allowed among 3 total. He also walked a pair and gave up 8 hits while striking out 7.
On the surface, this looks like a mixed bag of results (especially compared to his 1st start), but it’s his 2nd outing at AAA since being shuttled to Gwinnett.
So there’s still some work to do, but he’s got the time to get that worked out.
Next. The team we're chasing. dark
Loved the “red-on-red” look Friday night. Atlanta will be back in action this afternoon: 4:10pm with Max Fried (9-3, 4.04) opposing Caleb Smith (3-4, 3.41).