March 5th, 2021 –
BY DAN MATHEWS
680 THE FAN, ATLANTA – The rush to get Mike Soroka back from the torn Achilles is not immediate. That’s a good thing. 

Yes, this club is immediately better when Soroka is taking the ball every fifth day. The good news, is there’s time to get him back and this team to still be competitive at the level needed to win the National League East. 

I think the key to keeping this rotation strong every fifth day, relies on Bryse Wilson. I am a huge fan of Bryse Wilson now. Being at Globe Life Field for Game Four of the National League Championship Series with the Dodgers made me a convert. It no doubt also provided confidence for him heading into this season. 

Wilson even said as much recently, when he talked to reporters following the Braves spring training game on Thursday. It was a chance for him to prove that he belongs. 

2020 was a beneficial season for the Braves for many reasons, aside for the team success they enjoyed in the postseason. It gave the younger players like Wilson a chance to gain that confidence on the field and that is invaluable. 

Along with Wilson, I’m willing to see what Huascar Ynoa can bring, if he wins the fifth starter spot coming out of spring. The same goes for Kyle Wright. They had less than stellar first outings. But, it’s early in the spring and baseball is about what you do through the long haul of a season. 

For now, gone are the days where Brian Snitker had to trot out an “opener” in the postseason to make it through a game to get you to your normal starters. We’ve heard about this pitching talent that was being stockpiled in the minor leagues and it’s time to see them on the major league level. 

Is this rotation as good at the Mets? No. The Nationals? We don’t have Max Scherzer or Stephen Strasburg. But, it’s still a strong group. When they get Soroka back? It’ll be a heck of a group to get you to the later innings.