From trade deadline acquisition to Game Two starter, Tyler Mahle has had a rapid ascension in Atlanta. On Wednesday, Mahle pitched better than anyone could have expected, but a bullpen meltdown kept him from securing the headlines.
What could have been an amazing story about Mahle now goes a bit under the radar, to no fault of his own. According to multiple postgame reports, Mahle felt an abdominal pull as he was warming up to pitch Game Two and nearly didn't start. Thankfully, Mahle said the scare didn't affect him during today's start and would not prevent him from pitching again should the Braves advance.
Tyler Mahle, Dirty 88mph Splitter. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/5Yyr6UZVjg
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 30, 2026
Tyler Mahle's Game Two heroics thwarted thanks to bullpen meltdown
The game got off to a rocky start, as Mahle surrendered hits to three of the first four batters. Luckily, Mahle was able to escape the jam having given up just one run. From there Mahle locked in, and leaned heavily on his splitter to navigate the Phillies lineup.
As the Braves offense struggled to produce a lead for Mahle, Atlanta's trade deadline acquisition just kept on putting up zeros. Importantly, Mahle was able to limit the very two hitters in Philadelphia's lineup you can't let beat you. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper went a combined 1-6 against Mahle; sadly, Dylan Lee did not produce the same results.
Mahle's final line read: 7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, and 6 K. It is very deflating to see a start that good go to waste. Chris Sale was electric in Game One, but it's not unreasonable to say Mahle was even better in Game Two.
No matter what happens in Game Three, Mahle showcased that he is worth exploring a deal with this upcoming offseason. The veteran reworked his arsenal immediately upon arriving in Atlanta, and his 1.99 ERA, 3.32 FIP, and 1.8 bWAR in 54.1 innings with the Braves were a big reason the team won the NL East. Given how quickly the 2026 rotation fell apart, Alex Anthopoulos at least needs to keep tabs on Mahle's market.
Some had their doubts, but Mahle continued to pitch well even in a pressure packed situation. Mahle's performance should have been the lead story exiting Wednesday's game. Instead, the Braves will have until Game Three to think about the one that got away.
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