Charlie Morton’s injury has left the Atlanta Braves hoping someone steps up in a big way during the 2021 World Series.
What Happened to Charlie Morton?
During the Atlanta Braves 6-2 victory in Game One of the 2021 World Series, Charlie Morton suffered a fractured right fibula when a Yuli Gurriel line drive struck him in the leg.
The veteran hurler was able to recover and record the first out of the second inning. Despite the fracture, he was able to finish the inning and come back out to get Jose Altuve on a legendary strikeout in the third before exiting.
Charlie Morton’s Injury Leaves Braves in a Bind
Charlie Morton was Atlanta’s Game One starter and was scheduled to pitch Game Five following a reliever day. The bullpen had already been taxed throughout the NLCS against the Dodgers and they had to go right back to work last night with Morton exiting in the third inning.
Three of Atlanta’s key cogs at the back end of the bullpen had to pitch in excess of one inning in Game One.
- A.J. Minter built upon his postseason legacy by adding 2.2 IP, allowing one earned run and striking out three.
- Luke Jackson added 1.2 innings of shutout baseball with three strikeouts.
- Tyler Matzek pitched in 1.1 innings, as well.
With a scheduled reliever day set for Game Four, the Braves could have used deep outings from Max Fried and Ian Anderson in Games two and three.
Fried lasted five innings last night. Ian Anderson has logged just 12.0 innings through his first three postseason appearances in 2021.
Who Will Replace Charlie Morton in Game 5?
LHP Tucker Davidson has been added to the roster to replace Charlie Morton. Does this mean he will also replace him in the rotation? That remains unclear.
"“We know we’ve got Ian [Anderson] going in Game 3,” Braves Manager Brian Snitker said. “But it’s going to be kind of a ‘how we get there’ approach and take today separately and just go out and try to do everything we can to win that game and worry about tomorrow tomorrow.”"
Kyle Wright, Jesse Chavez, and Drew Smyly all pitched in Game Two with minimal workloads. We know the Braves have options, but like Brian Snitker said, the Game 5 starter is going to be determined by how the bullpen gets used in Game 3.
In Game Four of the NLCS, Huascar Ynoa was a late scratch due to tightness in his shoulder. The Braves decided to send veteran Jesse Chavez out as the opener. He was followed by a successful combination of Drew Smyly (3.1 IP), Chris Martin, A.J. Minter, Tyler Matzek, and Will Smith.
My Guess: Drew Smyly appears to have settled into his role as a reliever. Jesse Chavez does not appear to be stretched out enough. Kyle Wright is best used out of the pen with so much on the line.
Additionally, it is likely that Smyly and Chavez will get heavy usage in the “opener” game, with a possibility that Wright makes an appearance, too.
My gut tells me we will see Tucker Davidson on the big stage in Game 5. Davidson is a stellar left-handed pitching prospect who put up a 3.60 ERA in four starts with the Braves in 2021.
Who do you think it will be? Let us know in the comments!