Atlanta Braves Rotation May Soon Be Taking Shape

After starting the 2019 MLB season with a pitching staff in shambles, the Atlanta Braves have finally received some good news.

The Atlanta Braves have the misfortune of playing in arguably the toughest division in MLB, the NL East. This is why upon learning that the team’s ace Mike Foltynewicz (aka “Folty”), #2 starter Kevin Gausman, and relief pitcher A.J. Minter would start the season on the Injured List (IL), many wondered if the team might suffer a slow start that could potentially destroy them.

It’s not all doom and gloom, however. On Saturday, Braves beat writer Mark Bowman reported that “Folty” and Gausman may be returning to the rotation sooner than expected. He also wrote that Minter is ahead of schedule too!

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This is good news for the Braves who have dropped the first two games of the season to the Philadelphia Phillies and face a tough schedule to start the season.

Last season, “Folty” established himself as the team’s ace by pitching to a 2.85 ERA and a 1.082 WHIP. He led MLB in CG (2) and SHO (1), while also striking out a career-high 202 batters.

A.J. Minter also showed flashes of greatness for the Braves, following up his brief first season with a respectable 3.23 ERA while allowing just 0.4 HR/9. Minter also saved 15 games for the Braves last season, proving that he can be a valuable arm whenever called upon from the pen.

The Braves acquired Kevin Gausman from the Baltimore Orioles a the trade deadline last season for four minor-league prospects. Upon putting on the Braves uniform, Gausman quickly transformed into the teams 2nd best starter, posting a 2.87 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.

To remedy their pitching woes, many suspected that the Braves might go after southpaw Dallas Keuchel or reunite with former Braves closer Craig Kimbrel. Both Pitchers still remain on the market, however, and the team doesn’t seem to be interested.

It’s rare for teams to receive good news in bunches like the Atlanta Braves just did. You just have to hope that these pitchers aren’t being unnecessarily rushed. With a potential sweep to the Phillies to start the season, something tells me the Braves are hitting the panic button early.