3 Takeaways: Atlanta Braves edge Phillies, trim magic number to 8
1. Dallas Keuchel is October-ready
Here’s the simple fact — you don’t win in October without a steady presence at the top of your rotation.
Let’s not get hung up on the word “ace.”
Despite the fact that Dallas Keuchel has won a Cy Young, he probably doesn’t fit the “ace” bill according to the criteria that many critics have.
But make no mistake about it – Dallas Keuchel has what it takes to be the man to lead the charge on a deep postseason run.
light. Related Story. The case for Keuchel starting game 1
The bearded lefty pitches with an unwavering coolness about him – no game, nor situation, can shake him of his confidence.
The numbers tell the tale.
As the Atlanta Braves have sought to solidify their second consecutive division title, Dallas Keuchel consistently goes out and gives the team a great chance to win.
Here’s a summation of his last six starts:
Thirty-seven innings pitched, 4 earned runs, 35 strikeouts to just 12 walks, and 68 groundball outs to 33 flyball outs.
That dominance was especially evident on Wednesday night in Philadelphia, with the eight strikeouts accounting for his second-best single-game total of the season.
Keuchel, along with rotation-mate Mike Soroka, is giving Atlanta fans every reason to believe that they do, indeed, have what it takes at the top of the rotation to play deep into October.