The Atlanta Braves formally announced right-hander Mike Foltynewicz will start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
The Dodgers haven’t officially announced who their Game 1 starter opposing Foltynewicz is, but manager Dave Roberts said it will likely be Clayton Kershaw, followed by Hyun-Jin Ryu in Game 2.
Foltynewicz had a breakout season for the Braves in 2018 as the 26-year-old was named to his first career NL All-Star team. He made 31 starts, going 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA, 3.37 FIP and 1.08 WHIP.
With a fastball approaching triple digits, Foltynewicz is known to be a strikeout pitcher. He struck out 202 batters compared to 68 walks in 183 innings.
Foltynewicz pitched against Los Angeles once in 2018, on July 27 at SunTrust Park. The Dodgers offense was able to get to him as he allowed six hits and four runs in five innings, striking out eight while walking three.
In just two career starts against the Dodgers, he is 1-1 with a 5.56 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. Foltynewicz only averaged 5.9 innings per start in 2018, so look for the Dodgers hitters to work the count against him and get into the Braves bullpen as they have done against many starts in postseasons past.
Foltynewicz has pitched in parts of five Major League seasons, but this will mark his first career postseason start.
The Braves have not announced their rotation for the rest of the series behind Foltynewicz, but their regular-season rotation also consisted of Sean Newcomb, Kevin Gausman, Anibal Sanchez and Julio Teheran so those are the arms that are in the mix.
