Dallas Keuchel to start Game 1 of NLDS for Braves

Dallas Keuchel will start Game 1 of the 2019 NLDS for the Atlanta Braves.

While it was believed Keuchel would make the start, the club made the official announcement on Tuesday afternoon. He is expected to face Cardinals righty Miles Mikolas, who experienced an up-and-down 2019 before finishing with a 4.16 ERA (4.27 FIP, 4.17 xFIP).

Keuchel, who was signed in June after a slower-than-expected free agent market, pitched to the tune of a 3.75 ERA, 4.72 FIP and 4.06 xFIP across 19 starts this season. His numbers at SunTrust Park are far prettier to look at: 2.74 ERA, 3.21 FIP and 2.46 xFIP across 62 innings with better strikeout, walk and home run ratios than on the road.

The Braves likely opted for Keuchel in Game 1 for the home/road splits mentioned above as well as his career postseason numbers. In 10 games (9 starts) he pitched to the tune of a 3.31 ERA with 48 strikeouts to 18 walks across 52 innings. He made two starts for the Astros in the 2018 playoffs and owned a 3.60 ERA over 10 innings.

While not official, it is believed Mike Foltynewicz and Mike Soroka will pitch Games 2 and 3, respectively.