Braves Pitching and the AL Wild Card Race: A Mid-Season Update
The Atlanta Braves have faced critically important challenges on the pitching front this season, despite strong individual performances when healthy. Veteran pitcher, rebounding from previous injuries, enjoyed a successful first season in atlanta last year and continued to be effective this year until a freak injury in mid-June – a fractured rib cage sustained while fielding a comebacker.He recently returned from the injured list (IL) without apparent limitations,though his absence is believed to have contributed to the braves’ struggles. He relies on a fastball/slider combination delivered from a distinctive, extreme horizontal arm slot, historically making him particularly difficult for left-handed hitters, though the difference in his effectiveness against lefties and righties has narrowed this year (a 7-point wOBA split compared to a career average of 42 points).
Rookie Hurston Waldrep, drafted in the first round of the 2023 draft, experienced a challenging major league debut last year, hampered by elbow inflammation after just two starts. After further development in Triple-A this season,Waldrep was recalled in August due to injuries within the Braves’ rotation.He has as proven to be a valuable addition, allowing only a single run in each of his five starts and one bulk relief appearance. His success is largely attributed to a highly effective splitter, which generates a whiff rate of nearly 50% when batters swing at it. While his fastball is unremarkable, he has replaced his four-seamer with a hard cutter and sinker, though these pitches have been hit more frequently, the effectiveness of his splitter has minimized the damage.
Spencer Strider, another key Braves pitcher, has experienced a more difficult return from injury. He was outstanding in his first two full seasons, finishing second in rookie of the Year voting in 2022 and fourth in Cy Young award voting in 2023. An elbow injury sidelined him for most of last year, and he underwent internal brace surgery instead of a full Tommy John procedure. His return in mid-April was short-lived, as a hamstring strain sent him back to the IL. While he returned for good a month later, his performance has been inconsistent. A key indicator of his progress has been his fastball velocity, which initially dipped following the surgery, improved as the season progressed, but has recently declined again. His ERA has risen significantly in August, reaching 9.13 across five starts.
Meanwhile, the American League Wild Card race remains competitive. The Seattle Mariners‘ position is somewhat precarious, but they are benefiting from struggles by othre contenders. Houston lost two of three games against the Yankees and is now embarking on a road trip starting in arlington against the Rangers. This series will impact both Seattle’s Wild Card and AL West hopes.The Guardians and Rays are also vying for Wild Card spots, and Seattle currently holds the tiebreaker over both teams. Kansas City will face the struggling Minnesota Twins,who were recently swept by the White Sox. The Boston Red sox, without Roman Anthony, will attempt to rebound in Arizona.At the top of the Wild Card standings, the New York Yankees will host the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays.
