Tyler Mahle’s Atlanta Turnaround Is Starting to Look Real

Tyler Mahle arrived in Atlanta carrying a difficult season and a chance to start again inside a first-place rotation.

Two starts later, the Braves have seen a calmer pitcher who is using his splitter more often, staying out of long counts and giving the lineup enough time to build a lead.

His six innings against the Mets were the better test because New York had already seen him once this year and knew where his mistakes usually came.

Mahle allowed four hits, walked nobody and struck out seven while Atlanta pulled away for a 6-3 win.

Mahle kept his view of the turnaround modest when he said, “It's been a tough year up to this point, but I feel like I'm starting to have a little bit more luck on my side.”

Some luck has helped, though the first 12 Atlanta innings also show choices he can repeat.

Mahle has allowed one run with 16 strikeouts in those two starts, and he threw his splitter often enough against New York to keep hitters from sitting on the fastball.

Atlanta entered the year depending on a rotation with several health questions, so Mahle's quick adjustment gives the club more than two good box scores.

He can cover innings behind Chris Sale and reduce the need to rush another starter when the schedule tightens.

The zero walks against the Mets may be the best part because Mahle faced 21 hitters and made New York earn every chance.

His splitter can create weak contact, while the fastball becomes more useful when hitters can't wait for a better count.

That control also changed what Walt Weiss asked from the bullpen.

Mahle left after six with the lead intact, and Atlanta could use its relievers in the preferred order.

A starter who regularly reaches the sixth can keep the best relievers available for close games.

Lane Thomas opened the scoring with a solo homer, Ronald Acuña Jr. added an RBI single and Mike Yastrzemski went deep before Austin Riley followed with another homer.

Riley's three-hit night with two extra-base hits continued a season that has asked him to rebuild his production after two injury-limited years.

The Braves had looked for Riley to settle back into everyday work, and his seventh-inning homer gave Mahle and the bullpen room after the game stayed close.

His healthy offseason gave him a normal start to preparation, though the season has still required patience at the plate.

Riley's swing also kept the win from depending on one hitter.

Thomas, Acuña and Yastrzemski had already produced before he came to the plate in the seventh, so New York couldn't work around one dangerous spot.

That spread helps Mahle stay with his plan through a close middle inning, even before the lineup gives him room.

Mahle's next start will show whether he keeps leaning on the splitter once another opponent begins hunting it.

Atlanta can live with slightly fewer strikeouts if the walks stay down and his innings keep looking this controlled.