MILWAUKEE -- It's difficult to be noticed in a series full of dominant starting pitchers. Atlanta's Max Fried was able to do just that Saturday and the Braves have a split thanks to his latest gem.
Fried struck out nine batters and shut out the Brewers in six innings. Atlanta defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 in Game 2. With Game 3 scheduled for Atlanta on Monday, the series is tied at one game.
Milwaukee was barely in danger during Fried's outing. It ended after 81 pitches, when Atlanta manager Brian Snitker sent Joc Pederson as a pinch-hitter to the plate in seventh. Only Willy Adames, who had two runs, was able to score three hits for the Brewers against Fried.
Snitker stated, "It was great to watch." He pitches, which is what makes him fun to watch. He has the arsenal, the variety. He spins the ball so well. It was a great game.
The four starters at American Family Field delivered on their promises during the first two games. The four starters, Atlanta's Charlie Morton, Fried, and Milwaukee's Corbin Burnes, combined to make four great starts. The quartet combined for a 1.88 ERA and allowed a.157 batting percentage. They also struck out 11.6 batters every nine innings.
Fried's was the best of all the great outings. This was crucial in a series where runs were scarce.
Fried stated that while the stakes may be higher, it's worth going out and pitching the pitch you're supposed, Fried believes that this will win. "For me, to go out there and simplify the pitch as much as possible and attack the glove with a focus on the attack and not nibble, that was all I had in my head.
The Braves managed to put together a two-run rally against Woodruff in the third inning. Jorge Soler scored a double, then Freddie Freeman hit a RBI single, and Ozzie Albies scored Freeman with a double off the fence. Austin Riley also added an insurance run in the sixth with a solo homer against Woodruff.
That was all for offense. The clubs have combined for six runs in the first two games. Milwaukee won Friday's game with a 2-1 victory.
Craig Counsell, Brewers manager, said that he had to look at it again but didn't believe there were enough pitches to hit again. "And that's a credit for their pitcher. "Against Fried, I thought Fried threw a great ball."
Fried is the hotter starting pitcher in the series. While all four starters have been strong throughout the 2021 season, including entering Cy Young chatter at different times,
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Fried's second-half season has seen him post the highest ERA (1.64) and the best WHIP (0.83). He also ranks second in opposing OPS (.511), and third in batting average (.188). Fried has been even more hot lately, posting a 0.31 ERA (and 0.48 WHIP) in his four previous outings, which included Saturday's game.
Fried's latest performance saw him join an elite group of hurlers who have had more than one postseason start of six innings or more without a walk in a career. He is now part of the Hall of Fame alongside John Lackey and Chris Carpenter.
Tyler Matzek, Braves relief pitcher, said that it was "incredible". He's been doing this for the past month and a quarter, in fact for the entire season. He has been out there and going deep in the games. It's also helping the 'pen to know what we should do after he's gone.
Fried's departure was the only thing that brought about drama in Saturday night's game. In the final three innings, the Brewers had two runners on base against Atlanta's bullpen. However, the Brewers could not come up with a big hit that would close the gap.
The pitching has put together zeros over the two previous games. That is what made the difference in these contests. One team can capitalize on a rare opportunity while the other cannot.
Christian Yelich, a Brewers outfielder, said that Fried made pitches when he needed to. He did a great job of throwing everything for a strike, and keeping us from falling apart. The first few innings were very quiet. We did get some traffic towards the end, but couldn't get any big hits when we needed them."
Fried is building a strong postseason resume. Fried has been working out of the Braves' bullpen in the playoffs in 2018 & 2019, and has now posted four quality starts in five games with a 2.43 ERA.
If the series is extended, this could present Snitker with a difficult dilemma. Snitker has not yet revealed his plans for Game 4, but he suggested that a bullpen game could be an option. Fried would pitch normal rest if there was a Game 5.
The problem: Braves Game 1 starter Morton also boasts an impressive postseason resume, which is a lot larger than Fried's. To start Game 5, he'd need extra rest. Snitker might push Morton to get three days of rest in Game 4. He has Fried in reserve for a winner take all Game 5. Did that have anything to with Fried's departure after 81 pitches on Saturday?
Snitker may have been thinking in these lines. He didn't reveal it after Saturday's match, saying that his removal of a Fried from the table early on had nothing to do later in the series.
Snitker stated that he didn't take Max out because he was not thinking about winning today's match. "And I thought that Max was mentally ready to [come out] after he had gone through that sixth inning."
The teams still have Game 3 ahead of them. The Braves have a problem with Game 3 because of Fried's continued excellence.
The real problem in this series is not the hitters, for both teams.
Snitker stated, "It's really two well-rounded solid clubs going at each other." "Today, we had some major hits. It was another great game of baseball. It was just exciting, I know.
