The Atlanta Braves went down to Miami for a weekend series in about as much trouble as they've been in all season.
Down multiple starters, down Acuña Jr. and Albies, and dealing with a three-game losing streak, the Braves pulled together after a loss Friday night to take the final two games and take a big series from the first-place Miami Marlins.
While Miami still holds on to first place in the NL East even though they have played eight games fewer than the Braves have , the series was unquestionably a statement win for the Braves.
MLB fans around the country expected the Braves to fold with just Max Fried as a reliable starter, but they showed they’re going to fight. Robbie Erlin's four inning start on Sunday was a big reason why.
Robbie Erlin went 4 innings allowing just one hit while striking out five in a must-have start for the Braves, who also had Max Fried throw another gem on Saturday evening.
Fried has to not only enter the Cy Young conversation after his effort on Saturday, but be among the top candidates.
Fried is first in the NL with an ERA of 1.24, tied for second in the league with three wins, and his 0.90 WHIP and 29 innings aren’t far off the league leads either..
The Braves are back in Atlanta for a massive homestand against the Nationals, Phillies, and Yankees, and if they can manage to even go 5-3 in those eight games it would be a HUGE confidence boost heading into the 2nd half of the season.