The Atlanta Braves remain two games up on the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East despite being swept by the Dodgers.
As the postseason approaches, with the Braves continuing to battle for a spot, manager Brian Snitker will have a decision to make when it comes to his starting rotation. For starter Drew Smyly, his struggles come at a point where the club is thinking about a six-man rotation.
Smyly allowed nine hits and four home runs in only 4 1/3 innings of work in the Braves 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night. He has allowed seven homers in his last 9 2/3 innings. In his five starts in August, Smyly has a 6.08 ERA.
92.9 The Game reporter Joe Patrick joined the Midday Show on Thursday to discuss Smyly's future as a Braves starter.
"I definitely could see him getting left off the postseason roster if the team does indeed make it," Joe told Andy and Randy. "If you're a fifth starter, you're generally not going to get picked for a postseason roster, especially if you're a guy like Drew Smyly who can't really slot into a bullpen spot that easily because of the amount of home runs that you give up is among the most on the team."
"With Smyly, it is concerning for him at this point in the season because the Braves are going to sit him down. It does not look like he's going to pitch in this Rockies series. They're essentially going to skip his start.
I do think that he will get another opportunity. I'm sure they'll want to see how he looks after he gets this rest. I can see it in Brian Snitker's face that he was a little disappointed after his last outing because he had already been on extended rest going into that one...it certainly is looking like the deck is stacked against him at this point."
