The Atlanta Braves seem convinced their still emerging pitching staff will be enough to take them here they want to go.
The starting trio of Max Fried, Charlie Morton and Ian Anderson were nearly unhittable in their 3-1 NLDS win over Milwaukee and are now looking for a repeat performance against the L.A. Dodgers in the in National League Championship Series that commenced Oct. 16.
Against the Brewers, the three combined to allow just four runs over 201/3 innings. The heroics come just one year after the Braves advanced all the way to Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, but manager Brian Snitker gladly senses that things could be different this time around.
“I think we're in a better position this year,” Snitker told MLB.com . “We were kind of piecing that starting thing together all last year, and now, we've got three guys that are pretty good and are battle-tested and have been through the wars.”
Fried’s hot streak has only grown more dominating since the All-Star break, with the savvy left-hander posting a MLB-best 1.74 ERA over the last several months of the season. Last year, he allowed three runs or fewer in three of four playoff starts and adding to that streak against the Brewers in Game 2 by hurling six scoreless innings.
Over his last 11 postseason starts, Morton has posted a sparkling 2.53 ERA. As for Anderson, inexperience hasn’t been a problem for the 23-year-old as he tossed five shutouts innings against the Brewers in Game 3 after having not allowed a run over his first 17 2/3 innings in the postseason.
“We feel very good heading to the NLCS this year, regardless of who we're playing,” catcher Travis d’Arnaud said. “We've got a great pitching staff. Three studs on the mound. Shoot, all our guys are nasty.”
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