Let's Talk About It: Starting Pitching Woes

Since the All-Star break, the Braves pitching has not been on their A-game. Injuries to two of the best starters in the rotation definitely play a role in that struggle, but there is not anything we can do about that. We have relied on Charlie Morton, Spencer Strider, and Bryce Elder to pull us through. Lately, they haven't been at their best.

#Braves' 4.89 ERA since the break is 6th-worst in majors, ahead of only the Royals, White Sox, Pirates, Nats and Dbacks.

Offensively, Braves' .879 OPS since the break ranks 2nd in MLB behind ... yes, Cubs (.885). Cubs also lead MLB in scoring since the break, by a wide margin.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 7, 2023

As you can see from the post above, although the offense is putting up incredible numbers, they can't save what is happening on the mound. The irony of the ERA is that we are playing the Pirates with Strider on the mound tonight and he only lasted 2.2 innings after he gave up six runs on five hits and three walks. Those numbers will not get the job done in a couple of months.

Max Fried finally came back to face the Cubs and he was vintage Max Fried. That gives us some hope that the sky is not falling. Then Charlie Morton goes out and gives up five runs on four hits and four walks as he was pulled after 4.1 innings. Bryce Elder got his shot at the Cubs and they ran him off the mound after scoring seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and three walks in 4.1 innings.

That's three starts in the past five games that did not qualify as a "Quality start." One of the common denominators would be the walks. In 11.1 innings, those three pitchers walked 10 batters. You can't keep the pitch count down and get into a flow if you keep giving up free bases. More often than not, if you walk the leadoff hitter, he is going to come around to score in that inning.

Fried has returned and we are still waiting on Kyle Wright to return, but we still need these guys on their A-game as we try to secure another division title.

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