The Atlanta Braves have been having major difficulties with their pitching staff this season due to inconsistent performances and numerous injuries. Seeking to improve, the team acquired Erick Fedde from the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. Fedde enters the Braves roster amid a challenging year, having posted a 3-10 record with a 5.22 ERA, but he aims to turn his fortunes around quickly.
Less than 24 hours after the trade, the Braves announced Fedde would make his first start for the team in a 6:40 p.m. matchup against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday. This opportunity comes at a critical time as the Braves’ rotation has been depleted by several key injuries.
Pitching Challenges Deepen for Atlanta
Atlanta’s pitching problems have been compounded by the absence of A.J. Smith-Shawver, Grant Holmes, Chris Sale, and Spencer Schwellenbach, while Spencer Strider continues to struggle with recovery. With these setbacks, expectations for Fedde’s debut are high, especially as the Braves face a potent Royals lineup led by Salvador Perez and others.
The Royals counter by sending Seth Lugo to the mound, a pitcher who has posted a 7-5 record with a 2.95 ERA and 99 strikeouts this season. The game will present a tough test for Fedde against reliable Royals hitters.
Facing a Formidable Royals Offense
The Royals lineup includes power hitters and speed threats such as Maikel Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr., Jonathan India, and Vinnie Pasquantino, all of whom have shown consistency at the plate. Erick Fedde brings some prior experience facing these batters, holding a .225 batting average against the Royals with nine strikeouts in 40 at-bats and no home runs allowed. However, Salvador Perez has had success against Fedde, reaching base 3 times in 4 at-bats without striking out.
Implications for the Braves Moving Forward
At present, the Braves stand 15 games below .500 with a 45-60 record. Manager Brian Snitker is relying on Fedde to deliver a strong performance as the team looks to regain momentum during this difficult stretch. How Fedde handles his opponents, particularly the likes of Perez, could influence the team’s pitching outlook down the stretch.
Fans can watch Erick Fedde’s first full start for the Braves when the game airs at 7:40 p.m. EST on FanDuel Sports Network.