Braves get positive update on Max Fried heading into postseason

Max Fried will be ready to go once the playoffs begin

The Braves have had far too many injury scares for their liking thus far this season, with the pitching staff falling victim far too often. Atlanta’s starting rotation has been decimated by injury, with the dominant Fried as the only legitimate playoff pitcher remaining. Thankfully, Fried is also an NL Cy Young candidate with the capability of pitching twice in six days if necessary. He’s also healthy, per the Braves.

Fried injured his ankle in a freak accident during his last start and was removed after the first inning as a precaution. After undergoing tests, it appears Fried will be ready to go come Game 1 of the Wild Card series.

With Fried in tow, the Braves have hope to reach at least the NLDS

While their opponent is still unknown at this juncture, the Braves are currently slated to face the San Francisco Giants, who are the seventh seed in an eight-seed tournament. Atlanta has the second-best record in the National League and already clinched the NL East earlier this week.

Fried is slotted to start Game 1, which is great news for the Braves. After him, though, things get murky. Ian Anderson has been phenomenal since his call-up, and Kyle Wright also looms as an option for either Games 2 or 3. The Braves bullpen, with a solid back end of Mark Melancon and Shane Greene, offers them the opportunity to have a short leash with the two young starters. It’s not a perfect system, but one that can keep them afloat against inferior competition like the Giants.

Without Fried, however, all would be lost. He’s as important as they come for the Braves pitching staff.

Next: Braves rotation takes major hit as Cole Hamels is done for season

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