The 2020 season started with a question the Atlanta Braves would be happy to answer: Can they be the best team in the National League not named the Los Angeles Dodgers? But two-thirds of the way into the season, after another injury to a key pitcher, the question for the Braves is one they fear — can they even hold onto first place in the NL East?
Atlanta lost Max Fried on Tuesday when he was sent to the IL with back spasms. The 26-year-old lefty had assumed the role of ace after the Braves lost Mike Soroka for the season with an Achilles injury.