Bedraggled Atlanta Braves Bullpen Forces Changes
By Fred Owens
Apr 12, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez (33) removes starting pitcher Alex Wood (40) from the game against the New York Mets during the seventh inning at Turner Field. The Mets won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Braves bullpen is worn to a frazzle and there are no off days coming. On Wednesday Trevor Cahill was used in relief, leaving a hole in the rotation and forcing changes for Friday.
Braves Bullpen Woes
If you’ve been watching the Braves you know that Fredo Gonzalez and Roger McDowell have worn the path to the mound pretty thin. Going into Wednesday’s game the pen were tied for fourth in appearances with 66 for 67 2/3 IP. Tuesday night’s debacle forced Gonzalez to go to the pen earlier than he wanted and more often than he should have had to .
When Alex Wood continued to struggle early in Wednesday’s game Gonzalez resorted to using Cahill – Friday night’s scheduled starter – in relief meaning the deck has to be shuffled to find a starter for Friday. His options are pretty clear, he can use Cody Martin and Johnny whole staff to fill the void or call up a starter from the minors. Martin is not stretched out and using Johnny whole staff doesn’t rest bullpen so a minor league call-up is the most probable answer.
Starter Candidates
Coincidentally Michael Foltynewicz is schedule to start Friday for Gwinnett against the Mud Hens. This season Folty’s made 4 starts and posted a 2.08 ERA and a 1.246 WHIP in 21 2/3 innings, giving up 17 hits and striking out 30 while walking 10. The problem he’s had is the same problem most young flame thrower have; control. As a result he tends to run his pitch count up early although he dis have a great outing against Durham on the 20th going 8 innings on 105 pitches so he’s showing flashes of finding his way.
The other option would be to call Chien-Ming Wang but he allowed six earned runs in both of his last two outings and currently boasts a 6.23 ERA and 2.019 WHIP so that’s unlikely. A quick look at Mississippi show no one there close to ready so it’s Gwinnette or another surprise signing. No matter who starts the pen will need to be adjusted again and today’s wire adds an interesting option should the braves look for added experience instead of calling on a rookie.