Braves Briefing: Has Atlanta's rotation fixed their issues, or are the Mets just bad?

The Atlanta Braves need a "get right" series to fix their struggling rotation.

Braves starters had pitched 5 or fewer innings in six straight starts entering this weekend and had allowed at least 4 runs in each, including 5 or more runs in 5 of those 6 games. Charlie Morton had a 7.32 ERA in his last 4 starts, all losses.

And oh boy did they "get right" - Atlanta's starters have pitched 19 scoreless innings against the Mets with 19 strikeouts so far in the series, with Yonny Chirinos still to go on Sunday evening.

But the Mets are...well, bad. Nicky Lopez drove in more runs in game one on Saturday (5) than the Mets have scored all SERIES (3). The Mets stranded sixteen runners on base in Saturday's doubleheader and went 1-11 with runners in scoring position.

And there's still some worrisome signs from Atlanta's rotation - they walked 13 batters in those 19 innings. Now, the Mets weren't equipped to take advantage of those free baserunners, and it's possible the New York Yankees won't be next week, either, but someone eventually will. Let's see if the Braves can continue to clean up the starting pitching as we get closer to the postseason.

NL East Standings as of Sunday, August 13th

Here's how the division race is shaking out:

Team	Record	Games Back	Action Today
Atlanta	75-41	--	@ NYM
Philadelphia	65-53	11.0	vs MIN
Miami	61-57	15.0	vs NYY
NY Mets	52-65	23.5	vs ATL
Washington	52-66	24.0	vs OAK

We Wrote It

Allan Winans, originally drafted by the Mets, started game one of the doubleheader for Atlanta, and absolutely deserves another start for the Braves:

Winans went seven scoreless innings with four hits and two walks allowed, striking out nine. For a pitcher that averages 90 mph on his fastball, Winans racked a 35% CSW on the strength of his sinker and slider. Pitching "backwards", by establishing the changeup and throwing the sinker and slider off of it, Winans kept New York's hitters off balance all game. He didn't allow an extra base hit until his final inning, and ultimately stranded six hitters on base.

Read the full piece HERE

Want Some Highlights?

What's next for the Atlanta Braves?

The Braves are aiming for the series sweep on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, with RHP Yonny Chirinos taking on RHP Kodai Senga. The game is a national broadcast on ESPN, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM ET. The radio call, with Friend of the Site Ben Ingram, can be heard on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan or MLB.com.

Check out Braves Today on Socials!
Follow Braves Today on Twitter!
Like Braves Today on Facebook!
Check out the homepage for more Atlanta Braves News!
Subscribe to Braves Today on YouTube!
Get Exclusive Braves Merchandise from FOCO