Atlanta Braves begin second half with high expectations but question marks

Starting Pitching

No surprise here, the biggest question mark coming out of the first half and as we begin the second half is the starting pitching.

As mentioned above, Mike Soroka and Dallas Keuchel are the only starters I would feel comfortable with in a playoff series.

Filling out those other rotation spots down the stretch will be key for the Atlanta Braves.

I think they will make at least one upgrade through trade in the starting rotation, but I’m not confident that it will be an ace. It might just be a number three to slide in behind Soroka and Keuchel.

The Atlanta Braves are going to have to hope that two internal options step up for those final two spots to finish off the regular season and win the division.

Another thing to consider in the second half is the innings for Soroka and Max Fried.

If Max Fried continues to have sub-par starts, I would not be surprised to see him move to the bullpen where I think he is a very effective weapon.

I’m not giving up on Fried as a starter, but we have plenty of starters right now who can give us 5 innings and allow three to four runs. This would be more about limiting his innings.

Because the Braves do have plenty of arms that can give us serviceable, but not great, outings. I wouldn’t be surprised if we use a six-man rotation at some point. Or skip starts when the opportunity arrives.

Just like out of the All-Star break where the Atlanta Braves are going to let Keuchel start Friday night to give him more innings and limit the innings of others.

Bottom line, if the Atlanta Braves are going to win the division and compete in the postseason this year, the starting pitching has to improve in the second half.

It’s putting way too much stress on the offense and bullpen when your starters have an ERA close to five.