Max Fried, Ronald Acuña Jr. lead Atlanta Braves to big win

2. Max Fried is in the playoff rotation.

Seven innings of 1-hit ball against one of the hottest hitting teams of late is an absolute exclamation point to the front office and coaching staff that you are ready to pitch in October.

We have talked about it all season, of whether the kids could lead the rotation and Mike Soroka and Max Fried have both proven to be ready of the big stage.

Another thing was discussed early in the season was the workload the Braves would give the young pitchers as well. And while it is obvious they have put a “soft” limit on the duo, they have still allowed them to pitch all year and they show no signs of not doing so now.

I was rooting for Snitker to allow Fried to go back out for more, but instead, he chose to pinch-hit for him in the bottom of the 7th. I would have liked to see if Fried could pitch the whole game and avoided that one trouble inning that has plagued him in a number of starts this year.

As of now, I think the playoff rotation would (in no particular order) Soroka, Fried, Dallas Kuechel, and Julio Teheran. Hopefully, Mike Foltynewicz would adjust well and be a weapon out of the bullpen in a short series.

All in all, Max had everything working in his arsenal Thursday, and was automatic after allowing an infield single to Anthony Rendon in the first inning. If we are able to get this Fried in October, I feel good about matching up with anyone and that includes the teams in the American League.