OCTOBER 5: As expected, the Braves announced that Fried will get the ball in Game 1, with Anderson and Wright tabbed for Games 2 and 3, respectively (via David O’Brien of the Athletic). Manager Brian Snitker suggested the club could carry fifteen pitchers on their NLDS roster (relays O’Brien). Atlanta only activated thirteen pitchers for their shorter first-round series against the Reds.
OCTOBER 4: The Braves will consider a bullpen game at some point during their NLDS series against the Marlins, per MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. That’s a lot to put on a bullpen in a 5-game series that takes place over 5 days, but the Braves and manager Brian Snitker may not have a better option available to them.
Max Fried figures to get the start in game one, with Snitker announcing the move in all but name: “I think you want your best going in Game 1,” said Snitker, per Bowman. Fried could return on short rest to start a potential win-or-go-home game five. Said Snitker, “…I definitely think that is a possibility. We just need to see how that first game goes and the subsequent games as well.” Snitker remained coy about officially naming Fried as the game one starter, but only an injury would derail a game one start from Fried at this point, and it seems their ace lefty is finally healthy for the first time in that past month.
Beyond Fried, rookie standout Ian Anderson should line up for game two and Kyle Wright for game three. Again, Snitker would make nothing official, but the Braves don’t have a lot of options given the injuries that befell their rotation during the season.
Game four is where things get interesting for the Braves, as they don’t have a clear option lined up to start this game – hence the possibility of a bullpen game. Josh Tomlin was on the Wild Card roster, and he could function as a key swingman after making 5 starts during the regular season. Tomlin covered 39 2/3 innings across 17 total appearances during the regular season with a 4.76 ERA/4.02 FIP and 8.17 K/9 to 1.82 BB/9.
Atlanta went with a 10-man bullpen for the wild card series, with Tomlin as the only true long man. If they should so choose, the Braves have a number of options elsewhere in the system with experience eating innings. Huascar Ynoa, Bryse Wilson, Touki Toussaint, and Sean Newcomb could conceivably be added to their pitching pool as options to start or eat innings in a potential game four. That said, 10 guys in the pen should be enough even with a bullpen game, and the Braves already expect to lean heavily on Mark Melancon and Shane Greene – each of whom could theoretically pitch in as many as four of the five games, if it goes the distance.
That might be catastrophic
Trying to be like the padres eh
The padres didnt do anything that hasnt been done before
I know what you mean, but the Padres I think we’re the first team ever to see nine pitchers, so they kinda did.
Exactly
They were the first to use 9 pitchers in a shutout I think, not just in general.
Incorrect
The Padres literally started a reliever and every pitcher that pitched has been a reliever all year. Even though other teams starters have gone 2-3 in the playoffs, they started a starter. With expanded rosters all year, the padres have been taking advantage and been preparing for the playoffs all year long by using bullpen days several times. With no off days until the WS, I wouldn’t be surprised if other teams also used bullpen days.
The only reason the Padres did it was because of the break between the wild card and NLDS races. No way they would have done what they did had there been a game scheduled for the next day.
When Clevinger and Lamet went down, the plan was to use a bullpen day for game 3 all along. The 5th starter was Garret Richards who was moved to the bullpen late in the year and pitched in the first 2 games of the series.
I like the idea, start wilson and ynoa but keep somebody warm in the pen at all times, yank them at the first sign of trouble.
I think Wilson is the move to make. Most innings in majors besides “big 3”, and he has a bulldog mentality and improved stuff this season I’d start him game 4 and see where he stands after 3-4 innings.
I’d run with two catchers (Charlie as emergency third option) and bring Newk to start game 4.
God no. He hasn’t pitched in a real game in like two months.
I don’t see how Culberson makes the team. He serves no real purpose. He’s bad offensively and defensively. Newcomb definitely isn’t making the team as a starter….probably not at all.
He ain’t that bad defensively. I’d rather have him then camargo
Wilson should start game 4 his mentally alone would give me confidence that he won’t make it into a game between his ears with it being a playoff start. Let him go 3-4 innings if he’s so so let Tomlin take over if he’s dealing let him throw 5-6 innings.
In a perfect world, Fried would go seven and Anderson/Wright five or six, keeping the bullpen relatively fresh. Then you go with Wilson in game four with the potential of a bullpen game and a quick yank. It all depends. If any of the three get shelled and have quick hooks, that changes things. No off days is really going to challenge teams.
I think in a perfect world there would be no game four.
I agree. I would much prefer to see Wilson out there over Newk, Folty, Ynoa, or Touki. At least he has the potential to put on winnable performance. Those others need an offseason reset and just scratch 2020 from their memory.
Tomlin would definitely be the next choice, but if he makes it through the lineup the first time pull him out immediately. Even if he has a no-hitter going, pull him OUT. He gets annihilated by the top of the order the second time through.
Dumb idea. It wasn’t a terrible idea for SD because it was a 3 game series with a 3 day layoff immediately following its conclusion.
Naturally Braves awful decision making skills clearly don’t recognize the difference
Although in all fairness considering their rotation they’re likely to be forced into a bullpen game in Game 4 whether they want to be or not since whoever they start is just as likely to get blasted in the first or second inning hahaha
We might see a bullpen game in Game 3 for that matter too
Wow, harsh comments for something that hasn’t even happened yet.
What if the Braves win two of the first three games and the bullpen only pitches eight total innings in the three games, should they not have a bullpen game in game four to try and clinch the series? The Braves have one of the best bullpen in the majors, why not use it in a bullpen game in the right situation?
They said they’re considering it, not that they’re using it in game four. Calm your tatas.
Maybe they should consider actually trading some prospects for an ace or consider spending money on a pitcher under the age of 35 for more than a 1 year $18 mil deal.
Then they wouldn’t even have to consider a bullpen game.
Harsh comments for an organization that deserves harsh comments. Managements decision making skills is the most crippling thing about this team and has been for quite some time.
Yea, because those long term free agent pitcher deals always work out so well. Maybe Newcomb and Folty shouldn’t have regressed. Maybe Felix Hernandez shouldn’t have opted out. Maybe Mike Soroka shouldn’t have torn his Achilles. Maybe Hamels shouldn’t have hurt his shoulder. Maybe Touki shouldn’t suck so much.
The Braves had starting pitching options going into the season. You can’t account for losing so many due to injury or vastly under performance.
I’m fine with the Braves sticking with Anderson and Wright. They were both top prospects with good stuff. I’d rather life and die with them than trade away prospects for rentals.
NYY spent the most ever on a starter and are still thumping their skulls who is starting Game 2.
In this shortened season, bullpens can theoretically throw more than normal considering they haven’t had the same innings usage as they’re used to. Will Smith, as an example, is at 25% of his 2019 IP and has stated he’s just now starting to feel the groove.
I get why people want an established ace, but as of right now the Braves did pretty well holding on to some of their prospects and setting themselves up to have a pretty good young team with the payroll flexibility to supplement them through free agents or trades.
If this were a normal season with a normal offseason, I would be expecting them to make some bigger moves than years passed. If they didn’t I would be annoyed. But having three incredibly young pitchers starting the first three games and not experiencing heart palpitations like I would if Folty (Game 5 oof) or Newk were starting is a great sign.
I mean we have 2 good starters. If you think Kyle Wright isn’t the worst pitcher in baseball you need to seek help
I know you’re using hyperbole (I hope), but it’s pretty obvious he isn’t the worst pitcher in baseball.
yeah, i would have said the same thing, but re-examination of his stats shows a 2.37 ERA in his last three starts. before that though? yeah, he was pretty bad. the question is really what version of him you get.
He’s been completely different after he got his first win. If you watched him pitch, he’d have some good moments and then would just lose it and couldn’t get the last out.
Like you, he found much better results when he found the other side of the rubber.
I am a Padres fan. I am so happy that the Padres were able to pull that off.
With SD’s shaky rotation, the DH, and 28 man rosters, going with even frequent bullpen days is starting to make more sense.
SD could go with 12 position hitters, and 16 pitchers. 5 games = 45 innings. Maybe less. Maybe more with extra innings. Spreading 45 innings around evenly is less than 3 per pitcher in 3 games. Sounds crazy? Sure, but if Clevinger and Lamet don’t come back, how else can SD beat LA?
Starting Wilson on game 4 is essentially a bullpen game. He is not fully stretched out. I’ll also take Wilson on a short-leash to Tomlin’s BP fastballs. I like the guy but not enough for a start.
I hope they don’t follow through on this idea. That’s a lot of strain on the bullpen. I’d much rather they roll the dice on Wilson in game 4. If he fails, he fails. You’d come back with Max and a relatively fresher bullpen in gm 5.
Bullpen starts are an abomination, anyway.
my thoughts exactly…i like it. Ynoa looked great last outing he was in until his back tightened up too, plus he carries himself without much look of an pressure. I’d be good with either pitching Game 4 and let them pitch as long as possible without such a short leash
Getting Milone sure was a great move AA. Terrific GM!
to be fair, even with Milone’s track record him falling off thar much was a little surprising. really Milone would have been a good B move to slot in the 5th spot if you got a bigger name like Clev or Lynn or even Minor as well as him.
Milone also got a raw deal in his first outing with the Braves. Within 24 hours of finding out he was traded he was pitching in a Braves uniform. You’re supposed to have 48 hours before being scheduled. No real defense for his second outing but you could say everyone has a bad outing if you wanted to be generous. Not really defending AA though. He really should have picked up another starter to take the ball.
You would think starting the season with Hamels, Hernandez, and Folty that one of them could have been pitching a game 3 right now. Soroka would sure be nice right meow!
But yes the Braves could have been more after the deadline went and passed.
I’d rather see Charlie pitch than Tomlin
I dare say Tomlin is good one time through the lineup – just don’t let hitters get a 2nd AB vs. him. Marte HR’d off him and Joyce hit him, everyone else have been hitless this year vs. Tomlin, FWIW.
I think if you go with Wilson first, and he can go through three innings, Tomlin would be a good change of pace for the next two.
Sure, Wilson has the potential to go longer and Tomlin could easily come in to bridge to the setup guys – seems like the safest choice outside of 1-3.
just shoot for Tomlin for 2, Wilson for 2, and Newk for two and just spackle in Ynoa or Touki where needed or extend someone who’s dealing. dont need to do a real BP game in the ilk of what the Padres did.
Braves getting the scheduling shaft again. Every game at 2:00 Eastern.
Respect Atlanta.
Did you really think they would get the primetime slot during a week that has pro and college football, NBA Finals, V.P. Debate and Dodgers/Yankees competing? Because the Marlins fanbase has a great history of showing up strong.
I know, but EVERY game the Braves have played or will play is in the afternoon. It’s frustrating. And it’s not just this year. It’s every year the Braves reach the playoffs.
I get it. I do. I’m lucky enough to bribe friends for Sling TV passwords (or take a free trial) and watching on the side while performing my job, but you gotta believe this isn’t ideal for MLB either. Do you think they want to be programming multiple games on the same day, let alone at noon? This schedule is, of course, unprecedented. Hopefully this is the only time we’ll have to deal with this. Please.
They’re actually doing us a favor…we tend to choke in prime time lol!.. But I agree these afternoon times suck
Any chance Hamels is activated? I doubt it but theoretically hamels for 3 wilson for 3 and Tomlin if needed wouldn’t be a Terrible option
Hamels was put on the 60 day IL. He’s done for the year.
Even if he wasn’t — no way I want him pitching when it means most. Live by the sword, die by the sword. I don’t want to give him another opportunity to prove any truth to a conspiracy that he is a Trojan horse sent by the Phillies.
I thought he was on the 10 day IL oh well, I say they give wilson the ball in game 4 see if he can give you 3 or 4 innings then Tomlin for 2. Just don’t let Tomlin face the lineup more then once
I like piggybacking Ynoa and Tomlin. Their styles are so different.
Wilson for 3 innings game 4 Ynoa for 3 innings, turn it over
Ynoa shouldn’t even sniff the postseason rosters
Look for the Marlins to steal 2+ bases per game against the Braves. No matter who pitches or catches. They only caught about 12% of runners this season. Marlin’s Small Ball makes them a very tough out for the series.
Then look for 2+ pick-offs by Fried, who has one of the best pickoffs outside of Kershaw. It’s oddly 3.5% better at away games than home — though not nearly as good as MIA’s.
I really can’t wait for ATL to see Sixto a third time in a month. His first outing went well, but his 2nd time ATL had more experience and got to him. What will happen this 3rd look in so short amount of time?
I don’t know but I think it’s comical how people think the Marlins are some offensive juggernaut
I was screaming at the beginning of the year that the marlins would shock people. Of course that was pre covid and I didn’t think they had a shot at the playoff … but none the less, everyone underestimated them
AA’s refusal to upgrade the rotation is gonna show its ugly head soon. The guy needs to be fired