Jake Odorizzi has been struggling since he was traded to the Braves at the deadline. The initial thought was that he could help provide depth and solidify the back-half of the rotation, but it has been a struggle adjusting to the role. In his first three starts as a Brave, Odorizzi had a dismal nine earned runs allowed, 22 hits, six walks, and eight strikeouts in only 13.2 innings pitched.
Last night's strong performance is hopefully a sign of things to come for Odorizzi as he was much more confident in his approach in a win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Over six innings, he struck out seven and allowed one run to cross.
Dukes and Bell discussed last night's game with Treavor Scales and they asked him if it could be a turning point in the season for the Braves' starting pitcher.
"When the Braves picked him up in the trade with Houston, it was about the balancing act of getting a fifth arm for that rotation," Scales said. "And it's going to be crucial for the Braves to secure that fifth spot."
The club has struggled to solidify that fifth spot, and it has been a consistent theme throughout the 2022 season. The team has rolled out multiple pitchers to fill that role including Tucker Davidson, Spencer Strider, Kyle Muller, Bryce Elder, and now Jake Odorizzi all to varying levels of success. Add in the recent demotion of Ian Anderson, and the consistency of this position becomes increasingly important for the club.
"Jake held his own in this start," he told Dukes and Bell. "But it's going to be an ongoing assessment because the Braves know that when it comes to those playoff pushes, they need everybody at their best state of being."
They have shown a willingness to ride the hot hand, no matter how tenured that player is, so don't be surprised if the Braves go back to the well to pull up another contributor from the minor leagues.
Bryce Elder and Kyle Muller have been solid in spot starts, and then there's Mike Soroka who has been encouraging through his two rehab starts. If this does not turn out to be the turning point we all hope for, there are other options in place.