The Atlanta Braves didn't get the opportunity to send as many players to the 2024 MLB All-Star game as they did a season ago. However, the team had three of their players make the cut during the initial roster announcements.
First-time Braves pitchers Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez were the two pitchers announced and slugger Marcell Ozuna also made it as the reserve designated hitter. It was Lopez's first time being named an All-Star and he has absolutely earned the right to be there.
Marcell Ozuna landed his third All-Star appearance while Chris Sale impressively was named to his eighth. However, Sale will not pitch in the game due to starting the final game of the first half for Atlanta. He was replaced by Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez who is having a breakout season.
While it's unfortunate that fans won't be able to watch Chris Sale during the All-Star game, it makes more sense for him to get a break and save his arm for a playoff push.
There was good news to follow Sale being replaced on the roster as his fellow southpaw in Atlanta received good news from GM Alex Anthopoulos this afternoon.
Max is headed to the All-Star Game! ⭐️#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/kqasmK23V1
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 13, 2024
Max Fried was selected to replace Philadelphia's best arm in 2024, Ranger Suarez, and needed to make plans to head to Texas next week. This is Fried's second All-Star selection in his eight-year career. After losing Spencer Strider to injury early in the season, it was hard to imagine the Braves would have more than one pitcher appear in the All-Star game. However, the top three of Atlanta's rotation have defied all odds and the team now boasts three pitchers and one position player headed to the Summer Classic.
Fried started the season on a bad note but worked very hard to get himself back to form. Once he recovered from his rough beginning, it was smooth sailing for Atlanta's lefty. With this being his final contracted season with the Braves, he hoped it would be one to remember and it has been so far.
Max has a 7-5 record with a 3.08 ERA through 108 innings pitched (18 starts) in the first half including two complete games. He has walked 34 batters but struck out 95 during that span. His last start of the first half was an impressive six-inning, one-run performance against the Diamondbacks with three walks and seven strikeouts.
This is the first time the Braves have featured three starters in the All-Star game since 1997 when Glavine, Maddux, and Neagle accomplished the feat. It is also just the second time Atlanta has sent three pitchers to the Summer Classic since Kimbrel, Jurrjens, and Venters in 2011.
According to Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Max Fried had two missed calls from Alex Anthopoulos, which was unusual. Alex normally calls and if he doesn't get a response, he will send a text. This made Fried curious about what was going on but luckily for Max, it was the best news he could have received.
Max Fried woke up to two missed calls from Alex Anthopoulos. He figured something was up because usually it’d be a missed call and a text.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) July 13, 2024
It was good news.
Fried had to change his All-Star break plans — he was going to go out on a lake with teammates. But the change was good.
It feels good for Fried to be added as it almost felt like he was snubbed initially. However, it's even better that he replaced a rival pitcher the same day fans found out a Philly pitcher was replacing Sale. It's a perfect eye for an eye moment and shows just how great the pitching is between both sides in 2024.
He is a perfect representative for the Atlanta Braves and deserves every bit of this nomination. With this being his potential final season with the team, fans will want to relish every milestone he reaches.