Kyle Wright will not have had to work very long to allow him to win a 20th victory this season. The 26-year-old Atlanta Braves right-hander worked five and a third innings yesterday against the Phillies in Philadelphia, but his efforts were enough to lead his team to a 6-3 win.
The one who had 14 starts with the big club since 2018, becomes the first Braves pitcher to reach the plateau of 20 wins in a season since 2003.
As of this writing, he leads his closest pursuers in total wins this season by three.
Wright is a key factor in his team’s presence in the middle of a battle with the New York Mets for first place in the National Division East.
His 20-5 record speaks for itself and his 3.18 earned run average ranks him 18th among National League gunners.
The first winner of 20 victories this season and possibly the only one who will reach this plateau in 2022, completes a solid duo of starters in the company of his teammate Max Fried. Both have given manager Brian Snitker 29 starts so far and both give the Braves a chance to win on a regular basis.
The Alabama native could be the first member of the Braves to lead the Majors in wins since Tom Glavine in 2000. In earning his twentieth victory in 2022, he joins Glavine, Phil Niekro, Denny Neagle, John Smoltz, Greg Maddux and Russ Ortiz, all of whom have done so since the team moved to Atlanta in 1966.
Yesterday, Wright controlled the Phillies offense well, even though he was the victim of a two-run home run from Bryce Harper, his 18th this season.
William Contreras and Michael Harris were the most productive on offense for the winners thanks, among other things, to long balls against Phillies starter Bailey Falter.
The Braves are assured of a playoff berth, while the Phillies are fighting to stay in the game as the Brewers try everything to join them in the last place qualifying for a fall bye.
