ST. LOUIS -- After splitting the first two games of their National League Division Series against the Cardinals, the Braves will allow the outcome of Game 3 to determine who will start Game 4.
“We're going to talk about it this afternoon and kind of just get a plan in order with some different scenarios,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I think it's changed since we started this whole process. We have options.”
Julio Teheran and Dallas Keuchel are the most likely options. If the Braves win Game 3 on Sunday, they could send Teheran to the mound on Monday with some room for error. But if they lose the third game of this best-of-five series, they might be much more comfortable giving the Game 4 start to Dallas Keuchel on short rest.
Even if the Braves win Game 3, they could choose to give the Game 4 start to Keuchel, who threw 74 pitches while limiting the Cardinals to one run over 4 2/3 innings in Game 1. Mike Foltynewicz would then be available to start Game 5 if necessary on regular rest.
Teheran was initially left off the NLDS roster, primarily because he allowed 14 earned runs over just 11 1/3 innings during his final three regular-season starts. The 28-year-old veteran struggled in April, but then he produced a 2.67 ERA over 23 starts from May 5-Sept. 7.
Still, even as Teheran enjoyed this successful stretch, there were metrics that questioned his ability to sustain this success. He produced the NL’s third-worst walk percentage (11 percent) and MLB’s second-worst Expected Fielding Independent Pitching (5.26) mark.
Teheran allowed one run over 10 combined innings (two starts) against the Cardinals this season. But he issued four walks in each of those outings.
Keuchel’s lone regular-season start on short rest came in 2013, coincidentally against the Cardinals. His only postseason start on short rest was made in the '15 American League Wild Card Game. He allowed two runs over six innings in the Astros’ third-to-last game on Oct. 2. Four days later, he tossed six scoreless frames against the Yankees.
Lasting respect
Cardinals Game 3 starter Adam Wainwright’s final season as the top prospect within the Braves’ organization was 2003, when he played for Double-A Greenville, which was managed by Snitker.
“Knowing [Wainwright] for as long as I have, the respect I have for him, I consider him a good friend,” Snitker said. “It's been really gratifying to watch his development, his career, what he's become. I can go on and on about that guy.”
Wainwright was traded to the Cardinals in the deal that brought J.D. Drew to Atlanta before the 2004 season. The St. Louis veteran, who was born and raised in Brunswick, Ga., was highly complimentary of the fans who filled SunTrust Park during the first two games of this series.
"The crowd was rocking in Atlanta,” Wainwright said. “Those guys were on their 'A' game, two very good baseball games played. Tense moments the whole time. I remember just looking at Michael Wacha and saying, 'How awesome is this?'"
Culberson travels
Charlie Culberson was part of the traveling party the Braves brought to St. Louis for Games 3 and 4. Culberson’s right eye is still bloodshot, but there is no longer bruising and swelling around his right cheek, which was struck by a Fernando Rodney pitch during a Sept. 14 game at Nationals Park.
Because Culberson (multiple facial fractures) and Ender Inciarte (right quad strain) have been deemed out for the remainder of the year, they will remain with the Braves for the rest of the postseason.
Jerry Blevins, Kyle Wright, Bryse Wilson, Anthony Swarzak and Austin Riley are currently at the Braves’ Spring Training complex. They will continue to work out there in case they are needed during a later round.