Who should the Atlanta Braves use as the Game Three starter?
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker, addressing the media via video-conference prior to the team's flight to Philadelphia, said the team's still discussing their options. There's a lot of variables that go into picking a starter. "A lot - length-wise, we have some options. Do we want to do an opener? Who are we going to follow up with if we decide to do that? Or do we just want to go the traditional route?"
There's two main options for the bulk of the pitches, in Bryce Elder and AJ Smith-Shawver, as well as the question of using an opener or not. A bullpen game isn't likely, as Atlanta has to play a game four the very next day.
Let's look at who Atlanta might turn to for game three:
Option 1: Bryce Elder
Option 2: AJ Smith-Shawver
Decision: To use an opener or not?
So what does Atlanta do?
There's no easy answer for the Atlanta Braves here, sadly. If it's me, I'm going with the better swing-and-miss stuff of an AJ Smith-Shawver and trying to implement a Spener Strider-like velocity-focused gameplan. Focus on attack Philly up in the zone and inside, with the curveball playing a vertical game off of the fastball and the slider getting Philadelphia's hitters to chase out of the zone.
But whoever gets the start (or the bulk of the innings), expect them to have a short leash - Atlanta absolutely can't afford to get into another hole early and expect to mash their way out of it like they did on Monday.
And know that, if everything goes well, you've got your horses for Game Four and Five in Spencer Strider and Max Fried, respectively.
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