Left-hander Cole Hamels, one of the Braves’ key offseason acquisitions, dealt with shoulder irritation during the first version of spring training a few months ago. If not for the coronavirus forcing camp to shut down, and if the regular season would have started on schedule, Hamels would not have been ready to open 2020 in the Braves’ rotation. That’s no longer the case, though. With the season now on track to open in a month, Hamels should be part of Atlanta’s starting staff from the get-go, general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Wednesday (via Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution).
The Braves inked Hamels to a one-year, $18MM contract over the winter in the hopes that he’d help fill the voids left by Dallas Keuchel and Julio Teheran, capable innings eaters who departed in free agency. Hamels, 36, does have a long and successful track record as a workhorse in his own right, having tossed at least 200 innings in eight different seasons. However, injuries slowed Hamels last year as a member of the Cubs, with whom he amassed 141 2/3 frames (the second-lowest figure of his career) and logged a 3.81 ERA/4.09 FIP with 9.08 K/9 and 3.56 BB/9.
While Hamels no longer seems to be the front-end starter he was during his prime, there’s nothing to suggest he won’t give the reigning NL East champions respectable production this year. Barring any injuries during spring training 2.0, he’ll join Mike Soroka, Max Fried and Mike Foltynewicz as locks in Atlanta’s staff. The fifth spot’s less certain, though Felix Hernandez, Kyle Wright and Sean Newcomb were all candidates for the role before the game’s abrupt halt.
Regardless of how the Braves’ season-opening rotation looks, Anthopoulos stated that he expects they’ll be conservative with their starters’ workloads for at least a couple turns, per Burns. That could mean appearances ranging from two to four innings at the outset of the campaign.
Why. 60 Games. Assuming you don’t get hurt, you get 12 starts. If they’re throwing out wild rules, throw this one out there: The Starting pitcher stays in for 130 pitches, 5 earned runs, 7 runs with at least 3 unearned, or an injury, whichever comes first. “Conservative workloads.” What a joke.
Why what? What wild rules? Strange comment
A short season with this now “experienced” youth, I expect the Braves to be very serious contenders this year. Honestly, I have sky high expectations… I fully expect to be in the World Series and anything else would be a failed season. If it was a full season, I’d hesitate to make that statement… but now… go get’em
Bro, they could just as easily fall flat on their face. Don’t expect anything.
There not even the best team in the division but I like the way they are headed. Before you call me stupid and all that , a team in that division just won WS.
I don’t think you’re stupid, I just think the way you said it makes it seem Washington is head and shoulders above everyone else (which isn’t the case.)
It’s going to be a dogfight this year because there’s far less time to bounce back from a poor start or slump. Where Atlanta may benefit the most is all their young arms having a longer rest and not having to put many innings on their arms.
Assuming they’re handled correctly early, they shouldn’t suffer from any fatigue or soreness towards the end of the 60 and (hopefully) playoffs.
Rendon-less WSH. Soto is the real deal but is he supposed to take up for Bryce AND Rendon? Can Howie keep up his nice stats as a reserve playing everyday? Stras stay healthy/productive not in a contract year? That bullpen still has a lot of question marks. They’ll benefit less from the short season. ATL has excelled in divisional games moreso than other teams, and in particular vs. WSH, so bring them on.
Not a stupid remark at all. Washington still will be very good. Their starting rotation is just top notch.
The Braves strength might lie in the one thing not mentioned in many articles .. the bullpen. I could see the pens being used heavily and on paper the Braves probably have one of the best in the majors now. I foresee the Braves limiting starters innings early and rolling at the pen in force.
Melancon
Smith
Green
Jackson
Martin
O’Day
Minter
Newcomb – I just think with the short season the Braves will put him in the pen and give Feliz the 5th spot. More so to have a matchup lefty that can still go three outs.
Touissant – Some as Newcomb, but not so much for matchups as the fact he is very hard to hit first time through. Big concern for him is whether his control is on or not each time. He may never be a starter if he can’t go more than two innings without his delivery falling apart. Even with the modified 100% from-the stretch delivery he went to he seemed to lose it after a couple of innings.
The above doesn’t include taxi guys like:
Webb
Tomlin
Dayton
Wiegel
Sobotka
The Braves bullpen was really good last year though many didn’t give them credit, but the late season additions and Smith should make them even better and deeper. That could be huge in a short season sprint.
Braves will not be doing anything this year. Phillies will win the division this year.
Lol, good joke
With what pitchers?
Not sure how anyone can even take the 2020 champion seriously.
60 game season
16 team playoff
Not to mention the almost certainty of players testing positive and being held out of action for 2 week stretches. Basically going to turn into a game of luck for who has a full major league roster from week to week instead of half major league half minor league.
I’m seriously hoping this is NOT the year the Braves win. I’ve waited a long time to see them win again since 95 and I’d rather it not go down on a year like this.
I’m happy to have some baseball back but I personally view 2020 as a weird extended spring training for 2021 of sorts.
Okay.
MJ–whether it’s 60 games or 162 it’s the same for everyone and they all know the rules…. except for you that won’t take it seriously with your made up extra six teams in the playoffs. Newsflash—ten teams in the playoffs, not 16.
I hope they Braves don’t with either.
Playoffs are standard this year
I think they should just play 60 games with no playoffs. Who can honestly say their team earned a World Series Championship in a 60 game season. It’s laughable.
The 2020 season is a failed season regardless
Well he’s had long enough to recover. He darn well should be ready. Not like I expect the season to be completed but still.
I stopped reading at “darn”.
Starting pitchers start 12 games. It changes everything. Teams with talented young pitcher who were/are injury risks are now completely different teams.
Inning eaters are not nearly as valuable as they typically are.
It’s a whole new ballgame. I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays out.
Honestly, the White Sox are the team to look at. tons of pitching like the Braves. but the zips projections have the Sox the biggest boost after the 60 game season was announced
Should go to 4 man rotations considering your ace will only get 12 starts a year.
i agree. use a 5th man every 2,weeks. get your best 2 guys 15 start each split the other half among the rest.
It’s a possibility, but not sure if longer lay-off + more regular usage doesn’t equal more injuries. I’d say the first 15-20 games teams will be cautious with their arms before getting back in a regular rhythm.
How many times are we gonna see a Starter get yanked right before a game b/c he tests positive for Covid whether pitcher or position player. Teams with good Depth is who will win it all cuz I highly doubt any team will have the orginal starting lineup night in and night out…crazy times we’re in