The Braves and their high-powered offense found themselves in unfamiliar 2020 territory on Saturday evening as a pitching dueling between Braves rookie stud Ian Anderson and the Nationals’ Patrick Corbin. Ian was absolutely dominant and some timely RBIs from Marcell Ozuna and Ozzie Albies were enough for the Braves to squeak out a 2-1 win over the defending champs.
While the initial storyline that dominated the interwebs was that Ronald Acuna Jr. was indeed back in the lineup after an injury scare on Friday evening, Saturday evening belonged to Ian Anderson who was superb in allowing one hit and putting up some much needed innings for the Braves.
Tonight, @ian_anderson15 became the second pitcher over the last 120 years to allow one hit or less in two starts of at least 6.0 innings in his first four career appearances.#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/0bytKojh4f
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 13, 2020
There are always going to be some growing pains for any young pitcher, but Ian showed a lot in getting some early command issues/jitters out of the way as he dominated one of the Braves’ division rivals over seven innings of work. It seems like he has a bright future ahead of him and, given what the Braves have had to deal with with their rotation this season, one hopes that his present continues to be great as well.
More Braves News
Touki Toussaint will start Monday in Baltimore, Cole Hamels tentatively scheduled for Wednesday
Each week, it feels like we are constantly playing a guessing game as to who is going to get the start for the Braves. Well okay...it has mostly been hoping when Tommy Milone and Robbie Erlin WON’T be getting starts, but the principle is similar. In addition to Cole Hamels and Max Fried returning, now we have Touki Toussaint getting the start on Monday against Baltimore.
Braves recall Sean Newcomb, designate Robbie Erlin for assignment
Speaking of old friends and Robbie Erlin off the roster, Sean Newcomb is back. The Braves brought Sean Newcomb up because he actually has some availability as a long man versus some of the Braves’ other options that have seen some heavy use of late. This is also a roster move that makes adding Cole Hamels back to the roster much easier.
MLB News
Matt Chapman to undergo season-ending hip surgery
Matt Chapman has established himself over the last couple of seasons as one of the better players in baseball and is a big reason why Oakland has become a force to be reckoned with in the AL West. Unfortunately, Chapman has been dealing with a hip ailment and his season is over now as he is set to undergo surgery.