Braves' Max Fried: Confirmed as Game 1 starter

Fried will start Game 1 of the NLCS against the Dodgers on Saturday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Fried was excellent down the stretch, recording a 1.46 ERA in 11 starts since the beginning of August. His 23.4 percent strikeout rate over that stretch wasn't anything special, but his elite 3.3 percent walk rate and 58.3 percent groundball rate represent a sustainable path to success. He was excellent in his start in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Brewers, striking out nine while allowing just three hits across six scoreless innings.