The Atlanta Braves have a problem and it's a good one. The guys they added to the rotation, originally as fillers, are pitching so well they might force Braves' manager, Fredi Gonzalez, to once again settle for a six-man rotation. First experimented in the fall of 2012, the Braves might have to keep their hot pitching together in 2013.
Paul Maholm, the missing piece in the Braves' rotation, took the mound in a simulated game. He threw 79 pitches in six innings and felt no discomfort in a formerly bruised left wrist. He's not bullpen material, therefore, Maholm will be reinstated into the starting rotation. It could happen as soon as next week as the southpaw is expected to make a rehab start over the weekend.
Braves pitching has been absolutely hot, leading the team to the best record in baseball, despite having lost two of their last three games. The Braves went on a 14-game winning streak, the longest yet of 2013. In seven of the 11 games they've played in August, Braves pitching has allowed three or less runs.
Kris Medlen is working on a three-game winning streak, while Mike Minor has yet to lose in his last four starts. Julio Teheran was working on a streak of his own before getting pounded for four earned runs against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday. The scary thing is that Brandon Beachy looked like an ace in his start on Friday. He held the Miami Marlins scoreless after surrendering a combined 10 earned runs in 10 innings pitched following a return from the disabled list.
Baseball better watch out with the Braves' newest sensation. Alex Wood is shutting down the opposition. In his last two starts, he's surrendered one earned run over 12 innings pitched, allowing four hits, just three walks while collecting 10 strikeouts.
How can Gonzalez decide who to keep in the rotation? The earlier rumors were that Medlen was going to wind up in the bullpen since he had his share of success as a reliever, but that would be a tough call. The Braves bullpen has been just as good. Scott Downs has proven clutch, pitching five innings of scoreless baseball since joining the team back on July 29.
The Braves' pitching, bullpen and starting rotation combined, are second in baseball with a 3.22 ERA. Their bullpen alone is far ahead of everybody else, posting a 2.39 ERA through 118 games.
