Power ranking the Braves’ options to start Game 2 in October

Last week, I ranked all the Braves’ potential options to start Game 2 of a playoff series behind Chris Sale. This is a competition that’s going to be incredibly fluid over the remainder of the regular season, and it’s likely that when the playoffs come around, the Braves simply go with the hot hand. So I thought it’d be fun to update these rankings weekly, taking into account each pitcher’s most recent performance.

Removed From The Rankings: Didier Fuentes

Things could change over the final six weeks, but it’s become evident the Braves aren’t likely to stretch out Didier Fuentes and use him as a starter this season. That’s completely understandable given the impact he’s had in relief, and with the way some of these other arms have performed, there’s no reason to push their luck. Fuentes can have just as much impact as a hybrid reliever who can go multiple innings as he could as a starter.

6. Spencer Schwellenbach (Previous Rank: 7)

Schwellenbach remains last on the list simply because there’s still no telling whether he returns this season. With each passing day it looks less likely, because it’s going to take him at least a month to get fully stretched out, and then he’d have to prove he’s deserving of pitching in such a high-pressure situation. If Schwellenbach doesn’t begin a rehab assignment over the next week or two, he’ll be taken off this list entirely.

5. Bryce Elder (Previous Rank: 6)

Elder has had a really good season for the Braves. He’s stayed healthy and given the club a chance to win more often than not every five days. There’s a lot of value in those types of pitchers, but anybody trying to convince you he should be starting a playoff game is lying through their teeth. Elder didn’t reinvent the wheel this offseason. He made some adjustments that have led to better results, but he isn’t going to strike out a lot of batters, and much of his success depends on some fortunate luck. Hope is not a strategy come the postseason, and if he’s who the Braves are banking on in October, they’re in a lot of trouble.

4. Martin Pérez (Previous Rank: 4)

Pérez has done everything possible to work his way up this list, currently amid an 18-inning scoreless streak, but he actually holds his spot this week because of what the guys in front of him have done. I have Pérez and Elder in the same bucket. Neither is going to overpower opposing lineups, and both need some BABIP luck to find success, but they’re solid innings eaters at the back of the rotation who can get the job done in a pinch. That’s not exactly the profile you want starting a playoff game.

3. Grant Holmes (Previous Rank: 5)

Holmes is coming off his second consecutive outing allowing zero runs over six innings, and he boasts a 2.18 ERA over his last nine starts. Walt Weiss probably shouldn’t be thinking of him as an option who’ll go very deep into a playoff game, but he should feel confident in Holmes squeezing out anywhere from three to five solid innings.

2. Tyler Mahle (Previous Rank: 3)

What a Braves debut it was for Tyler Mahle after he was acquired at the trade deadline, tossing six shutout innings with nine strikeouts against the Yankees in the Bronx. If he keeps putting together outings like that, there will be no question about who’s starting behind Chris Sale come the postseason. But I’m going to need to see it more than once before naming him the surefire Game 2 option.

1. AJ Smith-Shawver (Previous Rank: 2)

AJ Smith-Shawver made just one start for the Braves before he was optioned, but that decision was more out of necessity than about his performance. He’s looked great since returning from Tommy John surgery, most recently tossing 5.1 scoreless innings for the Stripers on Tuesday while allowing just one baserunner with seven strikeouts. When it comes to upside, nobody on this list holds a candle to Smith-Shawver, and the thought of him starting Game 2 with Didier Fuentes relieving him is the current best-case scenario for the Braves.

—

(Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire)