Braves Name All-Star Pitcher for 2023; He Will Start in Doubleheader.

Bryce Elder, a right-hand pitcher, has been called up by the Atlanta Braves to start Wednesday’s nightcap against the St. Louis Cardinals.
On Wednesday, the Atlanta Braves will add more pitching to their lineup for their doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Right-hander Bryce Elder will start Game 2 of the doubleheader in St. Louis, Braves manager Brian Snitker said to the media. This season, Elder has started five MLB games and has a 6.46 ERA and 1.944 WHIP. He backs a 1-2 record as well.

Even before Tuesday’s rainout, the Braves were considering starting Elder on Wednesday, according to Justin Toscano of the AJC. However, because MLB regulations permit a 27th player on the roster for doubleheaders, Atlanta may now recall Elder without having to send another player to Triple-A because of the scheduled doubleheader.

Since Elder has had a difficult season overall, this will most likely be his spot start. With his start on Wednesday, others, like left-hander Chris Sale, will be able to get more rest.

The Braves have been rotating their pitchers according to this plan for the past few weeks. In the makeup game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, Sale is expected to get things started.

Elder’s 12-4 record and 3.81 ERA earned him a spot on the National League All-Star team for the previous season. Elder had a 2.97 ERA prior to the All-Star break.

However, Elder has a 5.46 ERA since then. He also started a postseason game and surrendered six runs in 2.2 innings.

With a 5-2 record and 3.86 ERA this season, the 25-year-old has pitched significantly better in Triple-A. However, he hasn’t been able to build on his prior MLB spot starts this year.

But if Elder could get out of his MLB rut and pitch well in St. Louis, that would be a tremendous boost. The Braves may be able to maintain their six-man rotation in addition to having an opportunity to win another series.

In the first game of the doubleheader, Reynaldo Lopez will start. At 1:45 ET, the first pitch will be made. In the afternoon game, Kyle Gibson will start for the Cardinals on the mound.