After an impressive outing against the Tigers, promising pitcher Julio Teheran is expected to be the opening day starter for the Atlanta Braves.
"Teheran pitched great," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, who's expected to announce Saturday that the Colombian right-hander will start the March 31 opener at Milwaukee and name the order for the rest of the opening rotation. "We had some good swings at Verlander, had the bases loaded. That (being able to get out of those jams) is why he is who he is. But yeah, Teheran was outstanding."
In Teheran's rookie year, 2013, he started in 30 games, stuck out 170 batters and won 14 games in only 185.2 innings pitched...he even threw a one-hitter against the Pirate, which allowed the Braves to complete sweep of the Pittsburgh-based team.
After a game ealier this spring training against the Yankees, Teheran said that he is 'ready for the season' to start.
"I feel ready," said Teheran, who walked one and struck out five, including three in a row to strand two runners in the first. "I feel like I've got my best command. I feel ready for the season and let’s see what they say."
Throughout the minor league, Teheran depended vastly on his fastball, but the pitch that Teheran has tried to work on the most is his slider. He used it more than he ever has before the season.
"I've been working on it," Teheran said. "Even in the offseason I've been trying to perfect my slider and my curveball. I think this year is going to be different because I have the experience with them, with my slider."
Braves opening day, when Teheran is expected to pitch, is on March 31. It will be the Brewers home opener in Milwaukee and is set to start at 2:10 pm.
"I just want to do what I'm going to do - even in the season. Just go out there and compete, and if I’ve got to show everything I have (I will)."
"Teheran pitched great," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, who's expected to announce Saturday that the Colombian right-hander will start the March 31 opener at Milwaukee and name the order for the rest of the opening rotation. "We had some good swings at Verlander, had the bases loaded. That (being able to get out of those jams) is why he is who he is. But yeah, Teheran was outstanding."
In Teheran's rookie year, 2013, he started in 30 games, stuck out 170 batters and won 14 games in only 185.2 innings pitched...he even threw a one-hitter against the Pirate, which allowed the Braves to complete sweep of the Pittsburgh-based team.
After a game ealier this spring training against the Yankees, Teheran said that he is 'ready for the season' to start.
"I feel ready," said Teheran, who walked one and struck out five, including three in a row to strand two runners in the first. "I feel like I've got my best command. I feel ready for the season and let’s see what they say."
Throughout the minor league, Teheran depended vastly on his fastball, but the pitch that Teheran has tried to work on the most is his slider. He used it more than he ever has before the season.
"I've been working on it," Teheran said. "Even in the offseason I've been trying to perfect my slider and my curveball. I think this year is going to be different because I have the experience with them, with my slider."
Braves opening day, when Teheran is expected to pitch, is on March 31. It will be the Brewers home opener in Milwaukee and is set to start at 2:10 pm.
"I just want to do what I'm going to do - even in the season. Just go out there and compete, and if I’ve got to show everything I have (I will)."