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Reeling Braves Turn to Ace Max Fried vs. Nationals
The Atlanta Braves are gearing up to bounce back from their series-opening loss to the Washington Nationals. They’ll be relying on their ace left-hander, Max Fried, to take the mound on Tuesday. After an 8-4 defeat on Monday, the Braves are eager to even out their four-game series with the visiting Nationals, marking the first face-off of the season between these National League East rivals.
Max Fried: The Braves’ Rock-Solid Ace
Max Fried (4-2, 3.38 ERA) will be up against the Nationals’ right-hander Jake Irvin (2-5, 3.79 ERA). Fried’s last performance was nothing short of spectacular, retiring the first 15 batters he faced against the Chicago Cubs and completing his second full game of the season. He allowed just two runs (one earned) on three hits, struck out nine, and issued zero walks, leading the Braves to a 9-2 win.
“Max is a really special guy,” said Atlanta catcher Travis d’Arnaud. “He’s a Game 6 World Series winner. He wants the ball against any team, in the biggest moments of this sport. When he’s off his game, he knows how to fix it quickly. He understands who he is as a pitcher and doesn’t try to do too much. Those are all the traits of an ace — and he’s definitely an ace.”
Fried has a solid record against the Nationals, appearing in 17 games (16 starts) with a 7-4 record and a 4.22 ERA. Last season, he faced the Nationals twice, going 1-0 with an impressive 1.93 ERA.
Jake Irvin’s Quest for a Win
Jake Irvin, on the other hand, is determined to break a three-decision losing streak and secure his first win since April 29. In his last outing against the Minnesota Twins, Irvin pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six.
“Jake pitched really well, he really did,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “He kept us in the game.”
Irvin has only faced the Braves once in his career, suffering a loss last season after giving up five runs in 2 2/3 innings.
Impact of Ronald Acuna Jr.’s Absence
The Braves are navigating significant challenges without their star right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr., who tore his left ACL on Sunday and will miss the rest of the season. Acuna, the 2023 NL MVP, previously tore the ACL in his right knee in 2021, missing most of that season.
In response, the Braves plan to utilize both Adam Duvall and Jarred Kelenic, who had been platooning. Additionally, they recalled J.P. Martinez from Triple-A Gwinnett to serve as the fourth outfielder, with Forrest Wall as another option due to his speed and ability to contribute to the lineup.
“Right now, it’s going to be pretty consistent,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s what you see. That’s who we got.”
Nationals Boosted by Lane Thomas’ Return
The Nationals received a boost with the return of right fielder Lane Thomas, who was activated from the injured list on Sunday after missing 29 games with a left MCL strain. Thomas made an immediate impact, hitting two doubles in his return to the lineup.
“The boys have been playing well and I was just itching to be part of it,” Thomas said. “I’m glad to be back.”
Despite missing a month, Thomas remains a threat on the base paths, ranking tied for 10th in the National League with 11 stolen bases.
Conclusion
As the Braves turn to Max Fried to halt their losing streak, both teams are making adjustments due to key player absences and returns. With Fried’s ace qualities and Irvin’s determination to break his losing streak, the game promises to be a compelling matchup. Fans can expect an intense battle as these NL East rivals clash with significant implications for their season standings.
