ATLANTA — Max Fried, who capped off the 2021 season by starting in the Atlanta Braves’ decisive Game 6 win over the Houston Astros, has been named the starting pitcher for the opener. of the team’s 2022 season.
The Braves announced Wednesday that Fried will start against the Cincinnati Reds on April 7 in Atlanta. It’s the second straight season that Fried has started the Braves’ opener.
Fried shut out the Astros for six innings and allowed just four hits in the Braves’ 7-0 win over the Astros to claim the team’s first World Series title since 1995. Fried, who is the 28-year-old went 14-7 with a 3.04 GAA and two shutouts in 2021.
Fried, Charlie Morton and Ian Anderson will be the three Braves aces this season. Manager Brian Snitker has yet to announce who will complete the Braves starting rotation. Kyle Wright, Huascar Ynoa, Kyle Muller, Tucker Davidson and rookie Spencer Strider are vying for the other spots.
The Braves are expected to use a rotation of six starters at the start of the season as they begin their campaign playing 14 straight days. They should then return to a traditional rotation of five pitchers.
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