Fried forcing way into ASG starter conversation

ATLANTA -- Max Fried seems destined to gain his first All-Star experience at Dodger Stadium, the iconic ballpark where he gathered many treasured childhood memories. In fact, there’s at least a chance the Braves' left-hander will draw the honor of being the National League’s starting pitcher at this year’s Midsummer Classic.

Fried enhanced his All-Star resume and again looked like a strong Cy Young Award candidate while helping the Braves claim a 3-0 win over the Cardinals on Wednesday night at Truist Park. Atlanta has won each of Fried’s last nine starts and 13 of his past 15.

“This guy’s a guy,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s one of the top-tier guys in our league.”

Fried stands as a significant reason why the Braves are 26-7 since the start of June and just 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Mets in the NL East. Marcell Ozuna and Eddie Rosario hit back-to-back homers in the fifth to provide a lead for Fried, who allowed five hits and one walk over six scoreless innings.

This outing’s only blemish occurred when Fried was lifted after just 82 pitches because of tightness in his right glute muscle. Fried is confident he will make his next start, which could be a matchup against the Mets’ Max Scherzer on Monday.

“We wanted to make sure we didn’t jeopardize anything,” Fried said. “I wanted to make sure I was OK and ready to make my next start.”

Fried has allowed two runs or fewer in eight of his last nine starts, and he ranks fifth in the NL with a 2.52 ERA. The southpaw entered Wednesday ranked third among NL pitchers with 3 WAR, per FanGraphs, trailing only the Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara (3.4) and the Giants’ Carlos Rodón (3.2).

Alcantara has posted a 1.82 ERA through 17 starts and a 1.33 ERA over his past 11. Though the Marlins' ace seems to be the current favorite to be the NL’s starting pitcher, Fried has put himself at the forefront of the conversation while producing a 1.85 ERA over his past nine starts.

“It’s something that would be cool, but at the same time, it’s something that is so far out of my control that I can’t even think about that right now,” Fried said.

Snitker has no clue who will be the starting pitcher when he serves as the NL’s manager during this year’s All-Star Game. But he is looking forward to sharing this experience with Fried, who grew up approximately 20 minutes from Dodger Stadium.

“Max needs to be recognized as one of the best players in the game,” Snitker said.

Fried’s first All-Star selection will only strengthen the respect he has drawn from opponents over the past few seasons. The 28-year-old blossomed during a 17-win 2019 season, but a late-season fade relegated him to the bullpen for the playoffs. He finished fifth in Cy Young balloting during the COVID-shortened '20 season, and then he posted an 11.45 ERA before being placed on the injured list three starts into the '21 campaign.

Fried has gone 23-8 with a 2.47 ERA over the 42 starts dating back to when he came off the injured list on May 5, 2021. He is tied with the Dodgers’ Julio Urías for the most wins among MLB pitchers during this span and his ERA ranks second only to reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, Brewers ace Corbin Burnes (2.43).

“I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, but I definitely haven’t done it alone,” Fried said. “A lot of guys support me and give me the confidence to go out there and be the player I want to be.”