Braves veteran right-hander Charlie Morton will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Brewers, manager Brian Snitker said Saturday. The series begins Oct. 8 in Milwaukee.
Morton will make have his final tune-up Sunday, pitching “a couple innings” in the regular-season finale against the Mets, Snitker said. The 37-year-old will try to add to his sterling postseason resume, which includes a 3.38 ERA in 13 postseason appearances (12 starts). He helped the Rays win the American League pennant in October last year, pitching 5-2/3 scoreless innings in the Rays’ Game 7 victory over the Astros in the AL Championship Series.
This season, Morton hasn’t shown his age. He has a 3.39 ERA over 32 starts. He reached the 200-strikeout mark for the third consecutive full season, even seeing an uptick in his fastball velocity since joining the Braves.
The Brewers, who boast a star-studded pitching staff, haven’t announced their postseason rotation. Cy Young contender Corbin Burnes (11-4, 2.29) likely will get the nod for Game 1.
For the Braves, Max Fried and Ian Anderson, who are aligned to start the next two NLDS games, respectively, will pitch simulated games in the coming week while the Braves prepare for the postseason opener.
