Tyler Mahle has been excellent since joining the Atlanta Braves.
The Atlanta Braves will be heading to the MLB playoffs this year barring a major collapse in September. They currently own a top-two seed after a dominant week in which they swept both the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies. Atlanta has won seven straight games.
With their eyes on making a deep October run, the main focus has shifted to figuring out who gets the ball after ace Chris Sale for potential Game 2, 3 and 4 matchups in the divisional round.
Manager Walt Weiss has plenty of options including Bryce Elder, Grant Holmes, Reynaldo Lopez, Martin Perez, AJ Smith-Shawver and Tyler Mahle. With Spencer Strider unlikely to return this year, the competition is wide open. However, one pitcher has clearly separated himself from the pack in August, and that is Mahle.
Mahle was acquired from the San Francisco Giants at this year's trade deadline in exchange for right-handed relief pitcher Anthony Molina, and the deal has been a massive success for Atlanta.
During his start Sunday against the Rockies he struck out nine hitters across 6 2/3 innings while allowing just one run. Although he did not pick up the win it was another quality outing from Mahle, who has fit right in with the Braves.
Across five appearances for Atlanta, the 31-year-old veteran has posted a 1.48 ERA, a massive improvement from the 5.13 ERA he posted with San Francisco.
With the way Mahle is pitching, he has clearly secured a spot in the postseason rotation, potentially slotting in right behind Sale.
There are several reasons to trust him in that role. First, he has spent a full nine years in the big leagues as a starting pitcher across five organizations, bringing the kind of experience that matters in October.
He also has the track record to prove this stretch is no fluke. Just last year with the Texas Rangers he posted a 2.18 ERA across 16 starts in limited action due to right shoulder setbacks.
The Braves are also renowned for making minor adjustments that completely unlock arms, which appears to be exactly what has happened here.
The alternative options simply have not been as consistent. Lopez has bounced between the bullpen and rotation. Smith-Shawver is still developing.
Elder and Holmes could make the cut, and Perez offers a left-handed option worth considering, but none of them are as hot as Mahle right now. When October arrives, Weiss should feel confident handing him the ball.
