Braves pitcher’s message after his great start against Mariners will upsets supporters

The loss of Strider put a strain on Atlanta’s rotation, but Max Fried’s return to form is excellent news for the Braves. Fried pitched six scoreless innings on Monday but was not awarded the win because the Seattle Mariners won in the game’s final at-bats.

Still, Fried did not allow a run for the second time in a row and has 13 strikeouts in his previous two starts. Fried has allowed only four runs in his last four starts. Six starts into a key 2024 season for the lefty, Fried believes he is exactly where he should be.

“I feel like I’ve got a really good feel and understanding of where I’m at,” Fried told Mark Bowman. “I’m just trying to keep it as simple as possible, which is to attack guys, get some ground balls and keep us in games.”

Staying in games is one thing; winning them is another, and ultimately the key to success in baseball. The Braves will compete for the National League’s top seed throughout the season, so their pitching must remain healthy and consistent. That might begin and end with Max Fried, who is learning to spin it like a pro.

Braves doing what they want

Is anyone surprised that the Braves hold the league’s best record one month into the season? That should not surprise anyone, and that will most likely be the case for the most of the season, as it has in previous years.

Atlanta has won five straight series and has yet to drop consecutive series this season. The Braves are 19-8 and lead the Philadelphia Phillies by one and a half games in the National League East.

The Braves’ offense includes numerous MVP possibilities, but the rotation isn’t loaded with talent, especially without Stride. Atlanta will be in excellent shape if Max Fried can establish consistency and compete for the Cy Young Award.

Brian Snitker, the Braves’ manager, already sees Fried’s finest days ahead.

“He’s getting in a really good place and getting his rhythm back again,” Snitker was quoted as saying. “It’s been really good.”

Fried’s strikeout rate is up, and he’s pitching deeper into games. Consecutive excellent starts are impressive, but they should just be the start for a pitcher of Fried’s caliber. The 2022 All-Stars finished second in the 2022 NL Cy Young Award voting after finishing in the top five the previous two years.

In a few months, we could be having a whole different discourse about Max Fried, with either a positive or negative spin. The Braves will be enthusiastic about the positive aspects, as should Fried, given that this is his contract year.