In the most important game of the season, the Atlanta Braves turned to their rookie phenom in hopes of gaining ground in the NL Wild Card chase. It was the biggest start of young Spencer Schwellenbach's career thus far, and he stepped up big time.
Schwellenbach went seven innings of one-run ball and surrendered just three hits in the Braves 5-1 victory over the Mets last night. Schwellenbach's heroics pulled the Braves within one game of the Metropolitans, and added to his impressive numbers against the best teams the National League has to offer.
Schwellenbach has been nails against the top dogs of the National League
The Braves rookie RHP has impressive season numbers on the whole already. His 3.47 ERA, 3.38 FIP, and 2.3 fWAR in 116.2 innings are numbers that will earn him down the ballot NL Rookie of the Year votes. However, it's what Schwellenbach has done against some of the best teams that has everyone in baseball buzzing.
Schwelly has pitched against most of the National League postseason contenders, and he's been more than solid against each of them. In fact, last night's start lowered Schwellenbach's ERA against the top NL teams to 1.79 across seven starts.
Updated: Schwellenbach against the NL's top teams this year
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) September 25, 2024
Phillies: 18 1/3 innings, 5 ER
Dodgers: 6 innings, 2 ER
Padres: 7 innings, 1 ER
Mets: 14 innings, 1 ER
Brewers and D-backs: No starts
1.79 ERA in 7 starts vs. these teams
Should the Braves need to win game 162 to get into the postseason, Schwellenbach being the expected starter won't scare many Braves fans after last night's outing. It was a performance that the Braves desperately needed in regards to their postseason hopes.
Step one is complete thanks to Schwellenbach and Michael Harris II. Atlanta can officially climb back into the postseason picture with a similar follow-up performance tonight. Now, the Braves turn to the NL Cy Young favorite and their surging offense as they hope to clinch the season series with New York.