Braves ace Julio Teheran said he made no major adjustments in his preparation for Sunday’s start after three consecutive rough outings.
But expect to see Teheran throw more fastballs when he faces the Reds at Turner Field.
“That’s something that I’ve been thinking,” Teheran said. “I’ve been figuring out what I’ve been doing different from my other starts. I’ve been using my fastball less, even the last two years. I’m trying to get back to use it more this time.”
That was the takeaway from a meeting Teheran had with manager Fredi Gonzalez and pitching coach Roger McDowell after his last start. Gonzalez said when Teheran is going good, he commands his fastball and uses it to set up his other pitches but lately has been doing it the other way around.
The Nationals on Tuesday got to Teheran for 10 hits and seven runs (three earned) in 5 2/3 innings with two home runs. In his past three starts (15 innings) Teheran has allowed 20 hits, including six home runs and five doubles, while walking seven batters and posting a 7.20 ERA and .333 opponents’ batting average.
According to FanGraphs, Teheran threw fastballs on 63.8 percent of his pitches in 2013, his first full year in the majors. That number was down to 60.9 percent in 2014 and is 57.9 percent so far in 2015.
