On Saturday, the Philadelphia Phillies blanked the team that just tied the single season home run record; the Atlanta Braves.
Ranger Suarez, Jeff Hoffman, Seranthony Dominguez, Jose Alvarado, Oriol Kerkering, Matt Strahm and Craig Kimbrel combined to shut out a lineup with Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Marcell Ozuna, Ozzie Albies, Sean Murphy, Eddie Rosario, Orlando Arcia, Michael Harris II and Austin Riley in it.
They just needed three runs to win that day, against Spencer Strider and a strong Braves bullpen.
The Phillies hurt the 104-58 Braves’ pride, and they are going to have to put on a brilliant performance against Phillies’ ace Zack Wheeler to tie the series.
To do that, Atlanta is sending star left-hander Max Fried to the mound.
“There are no secrets.”
Max Fried gets the ball in Game 2. pic.twitter.com/uDuGCzZChd
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) October 8, 2023
Braves insider Grant McAuley reported over the weekend that Fried’s blister, an ailment that sent him to the injured list in late September, is now healed and is no longer visible.
Max Fried said his blister is no longer visible and his index finger is healed. That’s about as direct as it gets on the matter. He’s lined up to go in Game 2 for #Braves.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) October 7, 2023
Before that, earlier in the season, a left elbow strain robbed Fried from several weeks.
That’s why he was only able to make 14 starts in the year.
Still, every time he was healthy enough to take the mound, he was magnificent.
The southpaw had an incredible 2.55 ERA in 77.2 innings.
Only one team was capable of beating him in the regular season, as he finished with a stellar 8-1 record.
On Monday, he will do whatever it takes to defeat the Phillies and tie the series for his team.
A Phillies victory would put the Braves in a really tough spot, just one loss away from elimination.
