Atlanta Braves: The case for Dallas Keuchel starting a potential game 1

With the Atlanta Braves inching closer to securing a spot in the postseason, we present the case for Dallas Keuchel starting a potential game one.

The Atlanta Braves magic number is currently at 11 with 18 games left to play, so while we don’t want to put the cart before the horse, things are looking pretty good.

For a while now I’ve been a firm believer that Mike Soroka should start a potential game one in an NLDS series, but lately my opinion of that has changed.

Part of that change in opinion is performance-based, but mostly I’m basing it on the playoff experience of Dallas Keuchel.

That’s not to say that I think the moment will be too big for Soroka. One of the best qualities about the 22-year-old is that he never loses composure on the mound and always seems in control.

But the postseason can be a completely different animal, and while I think Soroka will remain composed and not let the moment get too big for him, I know how Keuchel will handle the situation.

I realize Keuchel is not the same dominant pitcher that won the Cy Young back in 2015, but he’s done enough to show me that he’s more than capable of shutting down any lineup on a given day.

And nobody on this pitching staff has the postseason experience and success that Keuchel has.

He’s made nine postseason starts with 4 wins, an ERA of 3.31, and a WHIP of 1.14 in 51.2 postseason innings.

Keuchel made two starts in the postseason last year and gave up 2 earned runs in 5 innings in both starts. His pitch count was low in both of those outings and he could have gone at least one more inning in both of those starts.

Based on his postseason experience, he is the best option to start game one of a potential NLDS series for the Atlanta Braves.

And if you consider recent performances, Keuchel is certainly trending in a positive direction.

Over his last five starts (since that blow up in Miami) he’s given up just 3 earned runs and his season ERA is now down to 3.47.

While Soroka hasn’t been terrible over that stretch, it’s certainly been more of a struggle for him lately giving up 7 earned runs in his last two starts and multiple home runs in back-to-back starts.

Just to clarify once again before anyone bashes me in the comments, I have complete confidence in Soroka in the postseason.

But based on everything mentioned above, I think Keuchel is the best option in a game one.

We know the moment won’t be too big for Keuchel, and we know he can work deep into the game so we don’t burn our bullpen in game one. And we know that he is going to keep our offense in the game deep into the game.