The Braves will hope this Julio Teheran shows up in Philadelphia.
Teheran, the likely opening-day starter, was sharp in a split-squad 7-4 loss against the Astros on Sunday. The righty attributes his impressive spring to working out of the stretch on a regular basis, a method the Braves used with Kevin Gausman when he came over last July.
Teheran went five innings, allowing one run against a lineup that included a few of the Astros regulars. He says working from the stretch has been the biggest difference, and his command has greatly benefited.
“It’s something you have to trust,” Teheran said. “I feel much better from the stretch. So that’s why we decided to do that. ... It’s working so far.”
Jose Altuve singled off Teheran with one out in the first. Altuve score second to get into scoring position, but Teheran struck out the ensuing two hitters. He retired the next five batters until Derek Fisher singled in the third. Teheran struck out Altuve to end that frame.
Houston finally scraped Teheran in the fourth, when Alex Bregman led off with a double. Robinson Chirinos chased him home with his own double. Teheran rebounded with a clean fifth to end his day.
Teheran struck out six on the day, walking none on 74 pitches. He has 16 strikeouts against one walk through three outings. He put on 10 pounds and his velocity has been a tick up, staying in the low 90s and reaching mid-90s at times.
Not a bad exhibition season for a guy who was pushed out of the rotation last October. Recapturing any part of his former All-Star glory would be welcomed by this suddenly depleted-and-questionable pitching group.
“It’s been good from Day 1,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He feels really strong, said he gained some weight. Ball’s coming out of his hand really good this spring. Just the quality of his pitches have been really good. I like where he’s at.”
With Mike Foltynewicz sidelined, Teheran became the logical candidate for the first start of the season in Philadelphia, a ballpark Teheran values after making his major-league debut there in 2011. Starting March 28 would extend his franchise-high streak to six consecutive opening outings.
And given that Clayton Kershaw is questionable to start opening day for the Dodgers due to injury, Teheran may wind up with the NL’s longest current streak for one team.
“It’s a great honor to be in that spot,” Teheran said. “Especially with this organization that’s considered one of the best. ... We’ll see. We still have a week to go until they make that decision. I’d obviously be happy.”
