The Atlanta Braves are facing a similar problem in the 2024 postseason as they have had the previous two campaigns. The team is heading into a Wild Card series down their best pitchers. This time around, Chris Sale was scratched with back issues and did not make the initial postseason roster. Rookie AJ Smith-Shawver will now make the biggest start of his career on the biggest stage.
Smith-Shawver made one start this season before going down with an injury and returning to the minors. The 21-year-old certainly has major league stuff but as with all young pitchers it's all about putting a full arsenal together.
The Braves will now be tested once again and count on inexperienced pitchers to pull out big innings for the club. Grant Holmes did just that on Monday in the second game of the double header with the Mets after throwing 1.2 innings the day before. Max Fried will throw in Game 2 as expected.