The Atlanta Braves have no shortage of frustrating positions to consider fixing as we near the regular season's final month. The end couldn't come soon enough in what has been a lost year for a franchise that has lacked answers at every turn. While the injuries have been a big factor, even when the team was healthy, it was clear it wasn't a winning roster. A big piece of this was a lack of rotational depth that required frustrating answers.
Returning Bryce Elder to the rotation has been among the more frustrating pieces of the season. The struggling starter is 5-9 with a 6.12 ERA through 22 starts. No, you didn't read that incorrectly. Elder has kept his ERA north of six for the second consecutive season. Still, there are flashes and moments when the starter reminds fans of the early production he offered.
This was the case on Sunday with the veteran helping the Braves win the series finale against the New York Mets. Elder worked six innings, giving up only two earned runs on three hits. This was one start after getting demolished by an awful Chicago White Sox lineup. Perfectly illustrating the confounding tendencies of the starter.
Braves Starter Bryce Elder Throws Surprise Gem in Series Finale
Elder appears destined to get absolutely shelled or work deep into a game, giving his team an elite chance to win. The issue is the fact that getting shelled is the more common result, leaving the Braves with every reason to want to turn the page. Yet it remains completely out of reason that Elder is capable of these great outings against talented lineups. It is the version of the former All-Star hurler fans were used to watching when he first made his debut.
With that said, there is obviously no debate here that the Braves are going to turn the page at the end of the season. You simply cannot continue to employ a pitcher that gets this consistently shelled. Even with the handful of gems Elder has thrown, continuing to keep the starter in the rotation cannot be justified.
This will be far easier as well in the 2026 season when it appears the franchise is set to have a wealth of rotation options. Included among these is Chris Sale, who is set to return to Atlanta's rotation this weekend, giving the franchise some much-needed good news.