Atlanta Braves starter Ian Anderson is dominating the National League playoffs

Atlanta Braves rookie Ian Anderson has been absolutely demolishing opposing lineups this postseason and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.

Ian Anderson is doing everything in his power to will the Atlanta Braves to the World Series. He’s absolutely undressed opposing hitters in the first two postseasons of his career.

Expanding on a really successful rookie campaign, Anderson is making a strong case to be dubbed the Braves playoff MVP. In two starts, Anderson has tossed 11.2 innings without allowing a single earned run. And in those 11 innings, he’s racked up a whopping 17 punch outs.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

But this shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone. After getting the call up to reinforce a weak and injured Braves rotation, Anderson posted a 1.95 ERA in 32.1 innings. He also posted an 11.9 K/9 rate and helped lead the Braves to the third best record in the National League.

Anderson excels at limiting hard contact, playing his exceptional changeup off his fastball to keep hitters off balance. And with an arsenal that’s comprised of more than a 50% fastball-changeup mixture, you wouldn’t expect him to excel at striking batters out as well. But with a K% of 30%, he knows how to use that arsenal to put batters away rather than allow the randomness of baseball to bite him in the ass.

Anderson will be an anchor on this team for years to come. The Braves are expected to pursue Trevor Bauer in the offseason. Max Fried established himself as a Cy Young candidate in 2020 and Mike Soroka will likely return at some point for the 2021 season.

The Braves could be looking at one of the best starting rotations in the league next season, and Anderson will play a huge role in their success. But for now, Braves fans will just have to enjoy watching him completely dominate National League hitters on the biggest stage in baseball.

With a 2-0 series lead over the Marlins, Anderson’s next start could come in the NLCS. And he may get the chance to take the mound in the game that sends the Braves to the World Series.