ATLANTA -- Sean Newcomb has assumed the appearance of a frontline starter when matching up against the likes of the Mets and Marlins. But as he has experienced a steady decline over the past two months, he has created concern about how reliable he might be when the Braves need him most.
Newcomb's recent struggles were extended Wednesday night as he labored through four innings of an 8-5 loss to the Rays at SunTrust Park. The southpaw entered June as an All-Star candidate, but as August nears its end, he looks more like the weak link in what has recently been an otherwise stellar Braves rotation.