GDT 9-5: THE RETURN OF MAD MAX AND THE GRAVEDIGGERS

[Heyward]

What’s the closest they can be at the end of Friday and Saturday?

6 GB with 2 wins.

[msstate7]

Fried 3.1 fWAR
Soroka 3.8 fWAR

[striker42]

That outing by Fried might be the most impressive by any Braves pitcher all year. I don't think I've ever seen Soto look so lost at the plate.

[thethe]

Fried 3.1 fWAR
Soroka 3.8 fWAR

Maddux/Glavine

[Heyward]

Fried 3.1 fWAR
Soroka 3.8 fWAR

If Ian Anderson is the real deal, we're cooking with fire.

[50PoundHead]

That outing by Fried might be the most impressive by any Braves pitcher all year. I don't think I've ever seen Soto look so lost at the plate.

Extremely efficient. 90 pitches in 7 IP. As McCann alluded to in the post-game, when Fried has it going, it's really something to behold.

[UNCBlue012]

Extremely efficient. 90 pitches in 7 IP. As McCann alluded to in the post-game, when Fried has it going, it's really something to behold.

Freddie has said something of the same about Max a few times this year. There's a reason I've loved the guy so much. It's not just to get on people's nerves.

[bravesfanMatt]

Extremely efficient. 90 pitches in 7 IP. As McCann alluded to in the post-game, when Fried has it going, it's really something to behold.

I love his slider. It makes his fastball so much better. One more average pitch and he is legit stud. It will be fun watching Soroka and Fried the next few years.

[cajunrevenge]

Serious question, is Fried our best starter now?

[Enscheff]

Serious question, is Fried our best starter now?

His current arsenal suggests yes, imo.

Above average SI.
Below average FA that he can cut and is using more and more sparingly.
Plus-plus CU.
Plus-plus SL with a much different shape than the CU.
Average-ish CH.
Plus command that is holding steady in a larger sample.

His xwOBA of .293 is best on the team for any SP, which is #21 in MLB out of 97 pitchers who have faced 500+ batters. He is unquestionably a #2/3, and I think he's inched in front of Soroka a bit.

If he continues to progress by refining the SI, dialing in the FA as a cutter, and the command holds, I think he can be a clear cut #2 that folks argue over "TOR" semantics. There's a reason why high spin rate guys get tons of chances, and Fried is a prime example...and why I was always hesitant to trade him away.

Oh...and he must stay healthy.

[Hulavol]

And he can handle the bat..:)

[Dalyn]

Hmm. Wonder if any team has had both a 40/40 and a 20/20 guy.

It happened once. A-Rod and Griffey Jr did it with the 1998 Mariners.

[thethe]

Extent Fried?

[jpx7]

Extent Fried?

This is his age-25 season and Braves control him through 2024 (his age-30 season). Does that seem like a candidate to extent to you?

[Heyward]

This is his age-25 season and Braves control him through 2024 (his age-30 season). Does that seem like a candidate to extent to you?

I think given the ages of the two, the Braves control Soroka and Fried for the next 5 years after this one. Soroka is 4 years younger than Max, he seems like an extent candidate more than Fried does to me if AA were to extend them.

[thethe]

This is his age-25 season and Braves control him through 2024 (his age-30 season). Does that seem like a candidate to extent to you?

I mean - considering I have a massive man crush on Fried....yes

[Enscheff]

I think given the ages of the two, the Braves control Soroka and Fried for the next 5 years after this one. Soroka is 4 years younger than Max, he seems like an extent candidate more than Fried does to me if AA were to extend them.

Correct sir. Soroka is the only current Braves pitcher worth extending.