When the Atlanta Braves traded away Melvin Upton Jr to the San Diego Padres and included Craig Kimbrel in the deal, the outlook was grim. It was the final move to signify rebuilding of the franchise and Braves fans were feeling a little low. However, Matt Wisler helped lift spirits after a strong MLB debut. The top prospect was part of that Padres trade and will now look to continue the hot streak against the Washington Nationals.
Wisler saw his first major league action against the New York Mets after he replaced struggled Mike Foltynewicz who was sent to the minor leagues. The 22-year-old gave up just one run over eight innings to secure the win and impress baseball analysts all around. Now he will get the chance to try and have another solid start for the team as he faces the lineup of the Washington Nationals who are running on a solid win streak, but have cooled slightly in a pair of low-scoring games. Bryce Harper, Ian Desmond and Anthony Rendon have produced some runs, but not the slew of hits they have in games past. Wisler will hope that continues.
Doug Fister takes the mound for the Braves with a 2-3 record and 4.80 ERA. He has not been the ace the Nationals need right now. Before going on the disabled list, Fister gave up seven runs and eight hits in just two innings. Since returning he has not lasted more than six innings while recording a 2.87 ERA. Fister stresses he is healthy after dealing with forearm tightness. Bouncing back against the Braves could be relatively easy for the pitcher as the team has scored just one run in three straight games.
They have left more runners stranded in recent games. On Wednesday, they managed to load the bases in the ninth innings, but Kelly Johnson could only muster up a sac fly to send the games into extras where Atlanta eventually lost. Wisler has the pressure on him in this game to follow up a start that got the rookie compared to John Smoltz.
"It's been crazy," said Wisler,via Atlanta Journal Constitution. "Obviously the debut went as well as it could have gone. Since then I've just been kind of taking it all in. Being out there in the dugout, watching the game, taking in the stadiums. It's still kind of hitting me that I'm up here. I'm still trying to do a job, but obviously it's fun to take it all in."
