It has hardly been a secret that the favorite to pitch the NLDS series opener against the Dodgers for the Braves was Mike Foltynewicz. Folty has turned into the clear ace of the Braves’ rotation in posting a 2.85 ERA, 3.37 FIP, and 3.9 fWAR in 183 innings in 2018. While serious Cy Young award consideration is out of the question thanks to otherworldly seasons from Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer, Folty deserves a ton of credit for turning in an outstanding season for the Braves.
It appears as though the Braves agree with that assessment and that he will, in fact, get the nod as the first pitcher on the mound in the National League Division Series.