Teheran's confidence soaring as season nears

March 25th, 2016

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Though it is never wise to put too much stock in Spring Training results, the Braves can be hopeful that Julio Teheran's recent success has positioned him to enter this season with a renewed sense of confidence.
Teheran extended his Grapefruit League season success Friday, as he allowed the Astros four hits over six scoreless innings before rain ended the matchup with the game tied at 1 in the seventh inning. The Atlanta right-hander will make one more start before drawing his third consecutive Opening Day assignment.
"It feels good whenever you are pitching good," Teheran said. "That's what you want to take to the rubber during the season. I feel I am ready for the season."

Teheran has recently looked much more like the pitcher that he was in 2013 and '14. He has allowed just three earned runs during the 14 1/3 innings totaled over his past three starts. Each of those three runs were tallied by the Yankees during an inning that was marred by first baseman Nick Swisher's inability to stop Mark Teixeira's sharp grounder and Hector Olivera's inexperience in left field.
When Teheran, who earned an All-Star selection and posted a 2.89 ERA over 33 starts in 2014, posted an 8.00 ERA over five Grapefruit League starts last year, he said he wasn't concerned about Spring Training results. Six months later, he completed the worst season of his young career with a 4.04 ERA.
"Everything that was working before is working now, so I'm good right now," Teheran said.