With a comfortable win Friday, the Braves will have two chances to win the series against the Nationals ahead of the trade deadline Monday, with this first chance coming behind Reynaldo Lopez on the mound. Reynaldo has been serviceable since returning to the rotation but there are still weird inconsistencies in his arsenal and velocity and he hasn’t blown people away either. Fortunately his counterpart for the Nationals is a 37 year old Miles Mikolas, who boasts a 4.75 xFIP that is by far the most
favorable among xFIP, FIP, ERA, and xERA.
Reynaldo has largely been a two pitch pitcher, with his fastball and slider that still boast solid traits even with diminished velocity (that velocity sure does help though). He mixes in a curve about 10% of the time and the ever so occasional changeup, but those two pitches are mostly what he uses. As long as he continues to be a serviceable rotation starter that would be entirely acceptable, however.
Mikolas has generally has a very Bryce-Elder-plus-type of career, with a few extra ticks of velocity on Bryce and a bit better command, but chronically low strikeout rates and more durability than value above replacement level. Now at 37 years old, his strikeouts have cratered down to around 1 strikeout every 2.0 innings and there’s only so much walk avoidance and a decent ground ball rate can carry a pitcher without strikeouts. This is a game that the Braves’ offense should be able to handle against a diminished pitcher, but its baseball and Reynaldo Lopez is not Chris Sale, so only the game can truly show us what will happen. Mikolas has a large arsenal and doesn’t walk hitters, but his pitches aren’t very good so the Braves’ hitters should hit them hard, far, and often. How’s that for tactical analysis?
Game Info
Game Time: Saturday, August 1st, 7:15 pm EDT
Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
Watch: BravesVision
Radio/Audio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan
