ATLANTA -- Whether the Braves have the rotation they need for the postseason won’t be known until October arrives. But nearly a month after the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline, it looks like Atlanta has the starters necessary to successfully navigate the remainder of the regular season.
Martín Pérez extended the rotation’s recent success and added to the splendor of his comeback season while helping the Braves claim a spirited 2-1 win over the Rockies on Saturday afternoon at Truist Park. Pérez’s 5 2/3 solid innings were backed by Michael Harris’ two-out, two-run double in the eighth.
“Offense can win your games,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “But over the long haul, the pitching is what's foundational to your success. We pitched really well and the bullpen was once again outstanding.”
Matt Olson began a two-out rally in the eighth with a single and then advanced to third base on Mauricio Dubon’s single. When Harris followed with his decisive double, Dubon ran through third-base coach Tommy Watkins’ stop sign and scored easily when the throw went to second base.
Harris’ game-winning hit helped the Braves (81-55) extend their winning streak to six games and extended their lead on the Phillies to 5 1/2 games in the National League East race. They are also now tied with the Dodgers in the battle for the second of the NL’s two postseason byes.
Atlanta's offense has been heating up, but it’s important to point out that the Braves rank fourth in the Majors and first among NL teams with a 2.94 starters' ERA since Aug. 4, the day after the Trade Deadline.
“I think we’re all on the same page,” Pérez said. “Our goal is to just put up good innings and help the team win.”
Chris Sale has steadily strengthened his Cy Young Award resume. But when looking for Atlanta’s second-most consistent starter of the season, look no further than Pérez, who has posted a 3.05 ERA over 26 appearances (22 starts). The veteran left-hander limited the Rockies to one run in this latest effort.
The Braves were criticized when the Trade Deadline passed with Tyler Mahle being the only starting pitcher acquired. There was hope a frontline starter would have been added to strengthen the postseason rotation and to help in the attempt to keep the bullpen in good shape over the season’s final two months.
When the Braves have somebody other than Sale match up against a frontline starter in October, there’s a chance that criticism will be rekindled. But there’s no reason to complain about what this rotation has done over the past few weeks.
Braves' starters in August
Mahle: 1.52, 4 starts (23 2/3 IP)
Pérez: 1.80 ERA, 5 starts (25 IP)
Sale: 2.00 ERA, 4 starts (27 IP)
Grant Holmes: 3.04 ERA, 5 starts (26 2/3 IP)
Bryce Elder: 4.50 ERA, 4 starts (24 IP)
The Braves have won two of Mahle’s first four starts for them, and he has provided six or more innings in three of those outings. He has obviously surpassed expectations, but there may be some regression coming. He has a 1.52 ERA in these four starts, but a 5.27 Expected ERA.
Sale and Elder have both averaged at least six innings per start this month. This has helped Weiss protect some of his relievers. There are a lot of questions about who could be the Braves’ Game 2 starter in a postseason series. The need to have a prototypical playoff starter is minimized if top relievers Raisel Iglesias, Dylan Lee, Didier Fuentes and possibly Robert Suarez enter October in good shape.
Reynaldo López could be the pitcher added when rosters expand in September. The addition of a pitcher would give the Braves an option to continue with their current six-man rotation. It will also likely set Sale up to make his next two starts against the second-place Phillies.