Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton (5-4) dominated his former team Friday night allowing no runs in 6 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts on three hits and no walks in a 6-1 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. After a tough May where the 40-year-old right-hander produced an ugly 5.04 ERA, he reversed course in June by putting up a 3.10 ERA. Although the stats are a little misleading as Morton went 2-0 with one run allowed in 18 1/3 innings, but allowed an ugly 10 earned runs in 10 2/3 innings pitched in two losses. Despite all of that he lowered his ERA on the season to 3.89. Look for Morton to continue the momentum from this start in his first July start against San Francisco Giants next week.
Charlie Morton Strikes Out Eight In Win On Saturday
Atlanta Braves right-hander Charlie Morton turned in a quality start in a 9-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. Morton tossed six innings of one-run ball while striking out eight and walking two to improve his record to 4-3 on the season. The 40-year-old hurler had it going on Saturday against his former team, picking up an impressive 22 swinging strikes in the start. Morton now has a 3.91 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts over 72 2/3 innings of work in 2024. He will look to stay hot in his next scheduled start, which is set for Saturday against the New York Yankees on the road.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton put together a strong outing versus the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. The right-hander threw six scoreless innings while allowing one hit in the no-decision. Morton probably could've gone deeper in the game but his five walks and six strikeouts pushed up his pitch count. It's nice to see the 40-year-old getting back on track after getting smacked around during his last start. The hope is that Morton can continue being a viable option for the Braves rotation.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton tossed seven strong innings in Friday's victory over the division-rival New York Mets, giving up one run on three hits (one home run) and one walk with seven strikeouts. Besides the seven punchouts, Morton's highlight of the night came when he escaped a bases-loaded jam in the second inning by striking out Mets third baseman Brett Baty to end the frame. The 40-year-old right-hander remains a dependable fantasy starter at this stage of his career, featuring a rock-solid 3.14 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 40:14 K:BB through 43 frames (seven starts) during the fourth season of his second stint in Atlanta this year. Morton is slated to take the hill in Wednesday's series finale at home against the Chicago Cubs. In four starts against the Cubs since 2021, Morton has a dicey 6.16 ERA and 20:11 K:BB over 19 innings.
Atlanta Braves right-hander Charlie Morton will be aiming for more success on Friday when he takes the mound for a road contest against the difficult Los Angeles Dodgers. The 40-year-old dominated the Cleveland Guardians his last time out, tossing seven scoreless innings while allowing just four hits and a walk against six strikeouts but took a tough-luck no-decision in an eventual 4-2 extra-inning loss. The veteran has had an up-and-down season that includes 5 2/3 shutout innings in his first start of the season before he allowed 10 earned runs over his next two outings and 11 1/3 innings of work. However, he has not allowed just two earned runs over 13 innings in his last two starts and owns a 3.60 ERA through five starts. He will take on a Dodgers team that ranks first in baseball with a .354 wOBA versus right-handed pitching.
Atlanta Braves right-hander Charlie Morton (finger) said that his finger is fine and that he's fully healthy heading into the 2024 season. The Braves were a bit uncertain about bringing back Morton for his age-40 season, but they still went ahead and picked up his $20 million option for 2024 this offseason. Morton had a career-worst 11.6 percent walk rate in his third year with Atlanta in 2023, but he still managed to strike out 183 batters and had a decent 3.64 ERA (3.87 FIP) and 1.43 WHIP in 163 1/3 total innings over his 30 starts. Morton might have just one season left in him, but he makes for a solid middle-of-the-rotation arm for the Braves and carries more fantasy appeal while being backed by one of the best offenses in the league. He's been reliable, making at least 30 starts in each season since 2018, excluding the shortened 2020 campaign.
The Atlanta Braves exercised right-hander Charlie Morton's $20 million option for the 2024 season on Monday. Morton will turn 40 years old next week, but he had a 3.64 ERA (3.87 FIP) and 1.43 WHIP with 83 walks and 183 strikeouts in 163 1/3 innings over 30 starts for Atlanta in 2023 and has a 3.77 ERA with 604 strikeouts in 521 innings over the last three seasons with the Braves, including two 14-win campaigns. Morton could be playing in his final big-league season in 2024, and there were some signs of regression, as expected, last year. He had a bloated 11.6 percent walk rate. However, he was able to keep the ball in the park for the most park and had a strong 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Injuries will be a concern, but Morton will continue to have fantasy appeal in fantasy leagues because of strikeout ability and the fact that he pitches for one of the best teams in baseball.
Atlanta Braves right-hander Charlie Morton (finger) threw a bullpen session on Friday and he seemed to get through it just fine. Morton is trying to get himself ready in case the Braves advance past the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series and get to the Championship Series. The 39-year-old veteran landed on the injured list with inflammation in his right index finger on Sept. 24. It's unclear if he'd return in a relief role, but Morton was a significant part of Atlanta's starting rotation all year, going 14-12 with a 3.64 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 183 strikeouts in 163 1/3 innings over his 30 starts. Morton brings plenty of postseason experience, too, having posted a 3.60 ERA with 92 strikeouts in 80 innings over 18 playoff appearances since 2013.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton was removed from Friday's game due to an injury in his right index finger. It was first thought Morton had a blister, but he felt something on a pitch and was replaced soon after. X-rays were negative but he'll go for an MRI on Saturday. Look for an update with what the testing provides and if it'll be an issue going forward for Morton.
Charlie Morton Pitches Well Again, Earns Win Tuesday
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Charlie Morton continued his hot stretch in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Rockies. The veteran pitched six innings, allowing one run on three hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. Morton has had an up-and-down season but has now allowed just one run over his last four starts, bringing his season stats to a 14-10 record with a 3.29 ERA in 26 starts. Morton's next start will be a tough test at the Dodgers, but his recent success should hopefully instill a bit of confidence in fantasy managers who are not in a position to sit him.
