Cory McCartney from FOX Sports South joined Thomas Mott on The Night Show to look back at the Atlanta Braves first half of the season and look ahead to the postseason push.
Thomas asks if McCartney is worried about Ronald Acuña Jr. participating in the Home Run Derby, but McCartney doesn't think there's a need for concern. Looking ahead to the remainder of the season, this team's offense is ridiculous. The Braves have an interesting situation with Mike Foltynewicz back at Triple-A, and Dallas Keuchel, four games in, had his best game Sunday night.
Luke Jackson told McCartney that closing is the most fun he's ever had playing baseball. However, McCartney thinks the Braves NEED that closer to come out of the pen and change the tenor of the game. If you can land that guy, everyone slots back and Jackson could be a very good setup man.
McCartney believes Max Fried is getting away from himself a bit, relying too much on secondary pitches. His fastball has dropped pretty significantly, hopefully the break will give him a chance to reset.
Looking ahead to the postseason, the Chicago Cubs should be the next scariest team to face in the NL after the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sean Newcomb will probably remain in the bullpen, as you would have to send him down to stretch him out again. McCartney would leave him in there for the remainder of the season.
Finally, McCartney would go with Keuchel, Mike Soroka, and Fried as starting pitchers for the NLDS.
