Braves Face Pitching Choices as Playoff Roster Spots Narrow
The short version
- JR Ritchie threw one of his best major league outings against the Reds on Sept. 22, allowing one home run.
- Atlanta's 13 playoff pitching spots appear largely settled, with about one place still open.
- Ritchie competes with AJ Smith-Shawver, Ray Kerr, and a recovering Robert Suarez for the final spot.
- Bubble relievers typically see action only in decided games or long extra-inning contests.
JR Ritchie's strong outing against Cincinnati puts him in the mix for one of the final spots on Atlanta's playoff pitching staff.
Atlanta Braves pitcher JR Ritchie turned in one of his sharpest major league performances on September 22 against the Cincinnati Reds at Truist Park, working effectively through the first nine batters he faced despite allowing a home run in the outing.
The competition for a place on Atlanta's playoff pitching staff appears to hinge less on Ritchie's performance and more on how the club balances its remaining openings. Chris Sale, Tyler Mahle, Grant Holmes, and Martin Perez anchor the starting mix, while Didier Fuentes, Dylan Lee, and Raisel Iglesias hold down the late-inning relief roles.
Brent Suter, Dylan Dodd, and Victor Mederos appear positioned for three more of the 13 pitching spots, along with Ray Kerr. That leaves roughly one vacancy among Ritchie, AJ Smith-Shawver, and a recovering Robert Suarez, with Smith-Shawver being evaluated as a bullpen option.
If Suarez shows he is healthy enough for postseason trust, the final decision could come down to whether the Braves prefer an extra right-hander such as Ritchie over Kerr, given the left-handed depth already present in Suter and Dodd.
In practical terms, the choice may matter little. Playoff teams typically rely on a small circle of high-leverage relievers, and bubble arms like Ritchie would likely appear only in lopsided games or extended extra-inning situations.
