Atlanta Braves Julio Teheran Needs a Bounce Back Start

Braves’ right-hander Julio Teheran is getting set to start a game Sunday coming off of the disabled list. Teheran needs a bounce-back outing badly for a team who is clinging to a small division lead.

Watching the Julio Teheran pitch for the Braves this season is frustrating. One outing he will pitch 7 scoreless innings as he did on May 3rd against the Mets and two starts later give up six runs to an anemic Miami offense.

His velocity has been noticeably down as well this season for most of his outings. Inconsistency and streakiness is baseball to some extent.

The highs and lows of the season are expected from even the best players and teams. The difference here for Julio is after putting together three very good seasons Julio is in his second season of appearing to be an average starter.

Calling Julio an average starter over the last two seasons may be generous.  Last season he finished with a 4.49 ERA.

An ugly ERA for a starter the Braves once relied on and expected him to keep them in the game every time he was on the mound.

Trying to figure out what has gone wrong for Julio is as frustrating as watching him pitch. Looking at his approach at the mound he hasn’t changed anything aside from his velocity.

The way he mixes pitches appears to be the same though he has less confidence in his fastball.  Watching tape it becomes obvious he is challenging hitters less than he has in past seasons.

Sunday Teheran will be in the spotlight for the Braves with Sean Newcomb and Mike Foltynewicz challenging for his place at the top of the rotation Teheran needs to bounce back.

If he is unable to bounce back after his stint on the disabled list the team may have to consider moving Teheran.

Next: Ronald Acuna the key for Atlanta's offense?

An idea gaining more traction each time Teheran takes the mound and struggles for a team with plenty of arms vying for innings.