The plan going into the two games in Atlanta for the Phillies was to split the series. Just like last season, they have already accomplished that. The Phillies took game 1, with Ranger Suarez and the bullpen shutting out the Braves. But now that they have 1 win on the road, why not make it two? Game 2 takes place Monday night, with Zack Wheeler set to duel Max Fried.
Fried is having a tremendous season. He missed significant time, but in the 14 starts he made, his ERA was 2.55. Which is right in line with the 2.48 ERA he had last season, and the 3.03 ERA he has over his career.
His history in the playoffs is less stellar though. Over 10 starts, and a handful of bullpen appearances, his postseason ERA is 4.43. And that includes the Phillies getting to him for 6 runs, 4 of which were earned, last season in the NLDS. They chased him out of the game in the 4th inning. To be fair, he was battling a stomach bug. But he is not exactly healthy this season either. Fried has been dealing with a blister on his pitching hand for weeks now. And while he will make the start despite it, we will have to wait and see if it impacts his pitches at all.
But injury or not, the Phillies have had more success against Fried than most teams. In 13 regular season starts against the Phillies, his ERA against them is 3.99. His ERA at home, 3.45, is slightly better, but still below his usual performance. Even when he is healthy the Phillies have a history of getting to Fried. Though in his one start this season against the Phillies he went 5 innings and allowed just 1 earned run.
So before we get to game 2, let’s take a look at the Phillies history vs him. Do any individual Phillies have a particularly good history against him? Are there matchups the Phillies may be able to take advantage of on Monday Night?