Braves Shouldn't Give Julio Teheran a Postseason Start and Shouldn't Feel Bad About it

Julio Teheran and Freddie Freeman are the two players that stand out as sticking with the Braves through their rebuild, and both men helped usher in the team's next winning era.

While it would be nice for both to play a role in the postseason, only Freeman has produced enough to earn a prominent spot on the October roster.

If Atlanta wants to win in the playoffs, they must make the tough decision and leave their former ace out of their postseason plans, after he (as we could've anticipated) lost steam as the season droned on.

You've got to feel for #Braves' Teheran, who likely won't make a start for 2nd consecutive postseason. Looks tired in recent starts, sounds tired afterward; just not same pitcher he was for most of season. But emotions/loyalty shouldn't and surely won't sway postseason decisions.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) September 25, 2019

While Teheran's 3.81 ERA and 162 strikeouts in 174.2 innings this season are perfectly serviceable, his recent performances are what should scare the Braves. In his last 36.1 innings, he's walked 17, and his most recent three starts tell a terrifying tale.

Last three starts for Julio Teheran:

11.1 IP, 14 H, 13 ER, 5 HR, 6 BB, 7 K
10.32 ERA, 1.68 WHIP
— Matt Chrietzberg (@BravesMattC) September 25, 2019

Teheran was a workhorse for Atlanta during their down periods, evidenced by his 188.0 innings and 3.21 ERA during the Braves' 93-loss 2016 campaign.

But with a potential postseason starting rotation of Mike Soroka, Dallas Keuchel, Mike Foltynewicz and Max Fried, Teheran is simply not needed. His shaky command even signals he would be a hard-to-trust bullpen option, and could be left off the roster entirely.

My October worry - the #Braves’ starting pitching https://t.co/e3mLZ64SB4
— Mark Bradley (@MarkBradleyAJC) August 23, 2019

The Braves hold a $12 million team option on Teheran for 2020. Not only has the youth movement in Atlanta knocked the 28-year-old out of a postseason role, but it might cost him his Braves career too.

And they shouldn't let emotion get in the way of that decision, either.