The Atlanta Braves need their ace Max Fried to be ready and healthy for Game 2 of the NLDS. He hit the IL on September 22 with a blister. Yesterday was his first test. Fried pitched an intrasquad game to test out the blister and get ready for the postseason. The Braves really need Fried to be at 100% in the NLDS with Charlie Morton set to miss the entire series.
How did Max Fried do during Tuesday's Simulated Game?
Max Fried pitched five innings, allowing two earned runs on 76 pitches. He allowed back-to-back homers to Sean Murphy and Kevin Pillar in the fourth. He finished with three walks and six hits allowed.
Max Fried has thrown 76 pitches (44 of them strikes) through five innings. It seems we'll see him in Game 2, if all goes to plan.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) October 3, 2023
This, of course, means Spencer Strider would be the Game 1 starter.
The Braves haven't announced this.
Max Fried Expected to Start Game 2 of NLDS
Pitching the simulated game on Tuesday lines Fried up to start Game 2 of the NLDS. Although the Braves haven't officially announced it, it has been reported by several beatwriters that the Braves are planning to roll with Spencer Strider in Game 1. This makes sense with Strider coming in fully healthy and bringing his newly minted single-season franchise strikeout record with him.
Max Fried is our most proven commodity but he hasn't pitched since September 21st when he allowed one earned run over six innings, striking out seven against the Nationals. Given that Game 2 is scheduled for Monday, this will give Fried's blisters more time to heal after the intrasquad game.
Fried did wear a Band-Aid during the outing and was not available for comment after the performance. All accounts appear positive and making it through five innings with 76 pitches is a good sign.
Other Notes From Braves Intrasquad Game
AJ Smith-Shawver pitched five scoreless innings on the opposing side of the intrasquad game.
Sean Murphy struggled in the second half but did get a homer off of Fried in this game.
18-year-old Isaiah Drake turned some heads with his speed.
Looking forward to seeing this kid develop. https://t.co/dr29KmQekO
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) October 3, 2023
Looking Forward
Max Fried finished the regular season 8-1 with a 2.55 ERA over 14 starts.
We now await the official word from the Braves that the lefty will be ready to start Game 2 against the winner of the Marlins-Phillies Series. The Phillies jumped out to a 1-0 series lead last night with a 4-1 victory.
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