The Atlanta Braves get their ace back today. Max Fried is set to make his glorious return to the mound against the Cubs in Chicago. The game is set for 2:20 in the afternoon, so make sure you call in sick. If you are at work, reading this on the toilet, then go home sick. You are already on the toilet, drag that out and use it to your advantage!

Max Fried Provides Relief to Braves Rotation

Max Fried has started just five games this year but he has looked like Max Fried in those starts. He brings a 2.08 ERA to Chicago with a 1.07 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts in 26.0 IP.

Fried has a career record of 4-0 in four starts against the Cubs with a 1.57 ERA. As Chip Caray would say, getting Max back at this time is like making a trade without making a trade! Fried finished second in the Cy Young voting last season and gives the Braves their ace back.

This is, of course, terrible news for the rest of the NL East. The Braves are already 11.5 games ahead of the second-place Phillies. So, adding one of the best starting pitchers in baseball to rotation that already features Bryce Elder, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Strider.

Outside of those three, the Braves have not had consistency to rely on. 15 different pitchers have started for the Braves this season. Outside of Elder, Morton, and Strider, only Jared Shuster (9 GS) has more than five starts.

Kyle Wright isn’t expected to return until September. The Braves will still need to find a reliable fifth-hole spot in the rotation, but that hasn’t stopped them this year. The Braves are on pace to destroy many single-season franchise records this year.

The Cubs are coming into the series on a five series win streak. They are 12-3 in their past 15 games, which includes an eight-game win streak the tore off in the middle of that run. Despite being just two games over .500, they are hot right now.

You can watch the game on Bally Sports Southeast or the MLB Network.

Listen to the radio broadcast on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan