Braves make right call in placing ace on IL for third time this season

As noted by David O'Brien of The Athletic, the lefty has been terrific when healthy this season.

Given the team's playoff positioning entering the final stretch of the regular season, the Braves are making the right decision in playing it safe with the 29-year-old.

Atlanta has already clinched the NL East, has a three-and-a-half game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in the Senior Circuit and a three-game edge on the Baltimore Orioles for the best mark in MLB.

Even without Fried, the Braves still have All-Star (and NL Cy Young contender) Spencer Strider as their No. 1, with veteran Charlie Morton and 24-year-old All-Star Bryce Elder to help lead the rotation through the final couple of weeks of the regular season. They also boast one of the best offenses in the game, spearheaded by a pair of NL MVP candidates in first baseman Matt Olson and outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr.

If Atlanta wants to win its second World Series title in three years, it may need to knock off the likes of the Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies in the NL playoffs. Having a healthy Fried in October would go a long way in accomplishing that goal.

The NLDS is scheduled to begin on Oct. 7, meaning that the southpaw has two weeks to recover from his latest ailment.