ATLANTA -- Dallas Keuchel has not quite rounded into form. But a little less than a month after ending his long, unique offseason, the 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner has already shown how he might impact the Braves’ rotation and the National League East race over the remainder of the season.
“It seems like he’s been here forever,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s really good to have a guy who is an established veteran-type guy who is used to pitching deep into games and is used to winning games. He’s going to be really, really good for us."
Keuchel did not gain the ultimate result he was seeking as he was outdueled by a dominant Aaron Nola in Tuesday night’s 2-0 loss to the Phillies at SunTrust Park. But the left-hander made significant strides during his strong seven-inning effort and gave the Braves further reason to eagerly anticipate what he could bring over the season’s final three months.
“I think I’m there mentally and physically,” Keuchel said. “So hopefully, we can start rolling.”
As the Braves suffered a second consecutive loss for the first time since June 6 and were shut out for the first time since May 7, they saw their NL East lead drop to 4 1/2 games over the second-place Phillies.
It’s no secret a potent offense has vaulted the Braves to the top of the division standings. But it’s still noteworthy to point out they own the NL’s second-best record despite owning the NL’s fifth-worst starting pitching ERA (4.63), which ranks last among NL East teams.
Mike Foltynewicz is back at the Triple-A level. Kevin Gausman is on the injured list, and Julio Teheran is trending in the wrong direction. So, there’s certainly reason to wonder where the Braves might be heading had they not given Keuchel a one-year, $13 million deal on June 7.
“I think everybody sees behind the scenes what he brings with the work ethic,” Braves catcher Brian McCann said. “His baseball IQ is high, and his work ethic is off the charts. Then you talk about what he does on the mound, it was just a phenomenal pickup.”
As Keuchel limited the Phillies to two runs and five hits over seven innings, he finally showed the potential to be a frontline starter for the Braves. The same could not be said when he allowed the Nationals three runs over five innings during his June 21 season debut. Nor could it have been said when he surrendered three runs over 5 2/3 innings at Wrigley Field last week.
Considering Keuchel endured eight months on the free-agent market and then made just two preparatory Minor League starts before joining Atlanta’s rotation, nobody was expecting to immediately see optimal results. But the 31-year-old southpaw admits those first two big league outings fueled his fire.
“I’m not accustomed to five-and-dive,” Keuchel said. “So, it didn’t really sit too well [with] me the first two outings. You can say I missed three months of action. But I don’t make excuses. I’m ready to go. Seven [innings] is really the benchmark for me. I don’t feel whole unless it’s seven-plus. That’s what I strive for every time out.”
Though Jay Bruce drove in the game’s only two runs against a slider that caught too much of the plate, Keuchel was encouraged by the improved command he had with that pitch and his changeup. Getting ahead with those pitches enhanced the value of his cutter and two-seamer, which became more effective as the game progressed.
It looked like Keuchel might be moving toward an uncharacteristic outing when just four of the 13 balls the Phillies put in play through the first four innings were hit on the ground. But the ground-ball specialist looked like himself as just one of the 10 balls put in play against him over the final three innings were hit in the air.
After J.T. Realmuto’s double gave the Phillies two runners in scoring position with just one out in the sixth, Keuchel escaped unscathed by inducing Bruce and Cesar Hernandez to record consecutive groundouts.
“He just keeps us in the game,” Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “You know you’re one pitch away from getting a ground ball no matter what the situation is. Right before Jay Bruce grounded out, he looked at me right before that pitch like he was telling me, 'This ball is coming to you.' It’s amazing what he can do with a baseball. Every pitch is competitive.”
Keuchel’s outing marked just the 10th time this season and the first time since June 7 that a Braves starter completed at least seven innings. Max Fried recorded 21 outs on May 1, and entering Tuesday, the only other Atlanta pitcher to do so since then was All-Star Mike Soroka, who has done so four times within this span.
“I expect a lot out of myself,” Keuchel said. “If I don’t have a quality start in the box or feel like I contributed enough, then I don’t feel right. I hold myself to high standards. That’s the way it’s always going to be.”