Fried Gets Back on Track When the Braves Need Him Most.

The Atlanta Braves let a 2-0 lead slip and lost 3-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night.

There was a silver lining despite the defeat. Max Fried, the starting pitcher, has returned to his All-Star form. He gave up four hits, one walk, and four strikeouts in seven innings of two-run ball. Sixty-seven percent of his 91 pitches that evening were strikes.

“It felt very much like me. On both sides of the plate, I was in control of the ball. After the game on Wednesday, Fried remarked, “It was nice to get back under myself.”
Though he was happy with his outing, he wasn’t quite content.

“This is the year’s results period. I wish I could have held onto that lead and won tonight. Since my ideal scenario would be for us to win and I to grab the ball.

Fried’s sense of responsibility is commendable, but the Braves offense did not provide him with enough run support. Ultimately, the Phillies managed to leave only one runner on base and went 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position. For them, the opportunities were scarce. But the Braves left nine men on base and went 0-for-6 when they had runners in scoring position. A team used what resources they could summon. Even with additional opportunities, the other team was unable to complete the task. However, they have a good chance of winning if Fried continues to pitch like this. When he does, the Braves are, after all, 13-9.

Fried is confident that his side can close out games and record a victory.

We’re having a great time playing hardball. Right now, we’re playing a lot of games. If we continue to play this style, I think things will work out for us. Fried, Sale, and Lopez might be a formidable trio in the closing stages if they maintain their current level of play. For a postseason series as well, you just need three starters.

In a best-of-five series, that is a victory for every starter. When playing a best-of-seven, you want them to play well in the early games of the series so they can be rested for a crucial game six or seven that will either seal the series or put it to bed.

Even though the squad didn’t have much run assistance in the most recent defeat, a few well-timed runs could be all the team needed when these men are hot.