Atlanta Braves: How the Braves could pitch the playoffs

The Atlanta Braves have reached the point where they are 75% likely to reach the playoffs by nearly all projection models. How will they arrange pitching for the playoffs

The Atlanta Braves have utilized 34 pitchers this season. That number is the most in baseball, tied with the Los Angeles Angels. Granted, they’ve also achieved the 8th-best team ERA, 12th-best WHIP, and 8th-best K/9 in the major leagues from their pitching staff. With that selection of options to choose from, how will the Braves put together a postseason pitching staff?

While also ranking in the top 10 this season in youngest pitching staffs in all of baseball, the Atlanta Braves have used a tremendous amount of arms to get where they are currently, ranging from not recording a single out (Rex Brothers, 2 walks, 1 run) to three pitchers who have each tossed 140+ innings. The Braves also have 5 relievers who have made at least 40 appearances.

The Atlanta Braves have utilized plenty of “fill-in” types this season, with 7 of those 34 pitchers having just one appearance. However, that number also includes infielder Charlie Culberson.

There are even players who are no longer with the organization, like Matt Wisler, Lucas Sims, and Evan Phillips that have contributed at some point this season.

With all of these options, picking a pitching staff of 13-ish pitchers would mean eliminating over half of the pitchers that have pitched for the team this year so far. So how exactly do the Atlanta Braves put together a postseason staff?

In discussing how the Atlanta Braves could use their unique depth of pitching in putting together a postseason roster, discussion with a former pro scout who has seen many of the Atlanta Braves arms led to an idea that could be a bit out of the box. Perhaps the Braves would be inclined to follow this model!