Tyler Mahle has wasted no time becoming one of the Braves’ most dependable arms since landing in Atlanta at the deadline from the San Francisco Giants.
In eight starts with his new club, Mahle has put together a 4-1 record with a 1.28 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP and 44 strikeouts. He has also chipped in a 2.1 bWAR, giving the Braves exactly the kind of steady production they needed during their postseason push.
That run looks even more impressive when stacked against what came before it. Before joining Atlanta, Mahle was in the middle of a rough stretch, posting a 5.13 ERA over 18 starts. The move to the Braves has completely changed the script, with Mahle settling in and pitching like an ace.
The numbers in Atlanta are eye-catching on their own, but one stat stands out even more: his 1.28 ERA ranks third among Braves starting pitchers in their first eight starts with the team since 1910. He has also allowed just one run over 12 innings pitched, a clear sign of how quickly he has become a bright spot in the rotation.
His latest outing came in Friday’s 6-2 win over the Houston Astros, when he worked six strong innings and allowed three hits, one run and a walk while striking out six. He also held Houston to a .109 batting average with a 24% whiff rate and a 30% CSW.
The Braves clinched a postseason berth on Friday, and Mahle played a key part in getting them there. The 31-year-old is set to make his first career playoff start with Atlanta, which has now reached the postseason for the eighth time in nine years. His steady work should put him in line to start Game 2.
In Other News...
Braves Wild Card Plans Just Changed With New Outfield Concern
The Braves outfield picture changed quickly after they added Lane Thomas from the Royals in a deadline deal for two minor league pitchers, a move meant to deepen the roster for the stretch run. Thomas was brought in to give Atlanta another experienced option, and the club was counting on that addition as it mapped out its postseason outfield mix.
Now the plan has a new wrinkle. Thomas suffered a left intercostal strain during batting practice and went on the 10-day injured list, which puts his availability for the Wild Card Series in doubt and likely knocks him out of the opener anyway. With that door closed, Atlanta is expected to lean on other players to handle his role on the postseason roster while the team adjusts on the fly. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Still Have One Big Postseason Pitching Call To Settle
With the NL East wrapped up and a postseason seed in hand, Atlanta is down to the kind of October detail that can shape a series. Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle are lined up to open the Wild Card Series with extra rest, giving the Braves a clear front end to their pitching plan as they prepare for the first round of games.
The last major call is what comes behind them if the series reaches a decisive third game, with Grant Holmes and Martn Prez both in the conversation. There is also some uncertainty further down the October staff picture, as Robert Suarez works back through rehab and Bryce Elder recovers from knee surgery with a possible NL Division Series return window, while Matt Olsons latest power milestone adds another note to a team entering the postseason with plenty to like and at least one rotation question still unresolved. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Bullpen Picture Just Got More Interesting In Gwinnett Finale
The Gwinnett Stripers season ended with a 9-6 loss to Indianapolis, and the finish only sharpened the conversation around Atlantas bullpen depth. A late rally briefly pulled Gwinnett back into the game, but the Indians answered with three runs in the ninth inning to close it out, a reminder of how quickly the leverage picture can swing in a minor league finale.
Several names tied to the Braves relief pipeline were involved, including Michael Grove, Joe Jimnez and James Karinchak, with Karinchak taking the loss. For Atlanta, the bigger takeaway is less about one result than the mix of arms it watched in a high-pressure spot, the kind of outing that can quietly shape how the bullpen picture looks heading into the next stretch. [Read more 🡒]