Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz, the scheduled starter for Wednesday night’s game against the Brewers, had two stellar starts book-ended by two bad ones. How will he far in No. 5?
Here’s are seven things to know about his four starts this season:
• In his four starts, he has allowed 11 earned runs on 27 hits in 21 2/3 innings and has given up five home runs.
• He is 1-2 with a 4.57 ERA.
• Nine of the runs scored in the first or second innings.
• However, he has struck out 17 and walked two, with one intentional, so he seems to have solved the control problems he had at Triple A-Gwinnett (where he walked 14 in 22 innings).
• On May 2 on the road against the Mets, he made his first major league start of season, but lasted only 3 2/3 innings. In that time he allowed four earned runs on eight hits. All the runs came in the first inning, when he gave up three homers (to David Wright, Yoenis Cespedes and Lucas Duda) and walked two (intentional) to go with four strikeouts.
• Foltynewicz recovered for consecutive solid starts against Arizona and Kansas City. In those he combined to pitch 15 innings, allowing two earned runs on 12 hits, while striking out 12. He gave up one homer, but didn’t walk anyone.
• After those two outings left the impression that Foltynewicz was ready to emerge as the prospect the Braves and their fans were counting on, he had his worst outing of the season against the Pirates on May 19. He lasted only three innings, allowed five earned runs on seven hits. He gave up a homer and hit a batter, to go with one strikeout and no walks.
