The Braves might be dealing with significant injuries to the starting rotation, as Max Fried and Kyle Wright find themselves on the Injured List, but they still boast an impressive staff, in part because of their other ace — Spencer Strider.
The hard-throwing righty would toe the rubber of any Game 1 situation if he was on any other team. He’s a bonafide superstar that is blowing through the competition en route to a bevy of franchise and league records.
Most recently, he broke John Smoltz’s franchise record for most consecutive games with at least nine strikeouts, and he has a historic MLB record in his sights — the fewest innings to reach 500 career strikeouts as a starter.
Strider has totaled 232 career strikeouts as a starter across 147.1 innings. If he were to maintain that pace, he would break Corbin Burnes‘ record by nearly 50 innings, and he might do it with only two pitches, according to Smoltz.
“I think ideally you’d like to get that third pitch, he doesn’t need it right now,” Smoltz said, via 92.9 The Morning Shift.
Strider leads MLB with 67 strikeouts and has posted a 2.70 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across 40 innings thanks to his unique four-seam fastball and wipe out slider. His control is what impresses the Cy Young winner most.
“I just love the way he’s in total command of everything that’s going on on the mound,” said the Hall of Famer, via 92.9 The Morning Shift. “That’s not what every pitcher does. You think every pitcher would be in command and control, and I think the one thing for Spencer Strider is he utilizes the science along with his own philosophy that I think will keep him healthy.”
The Braves are dealing with a couple of major injuries to the starting staff, but they also possess the most talented pitcher in baseball right now. Spencer Strider is on a tear and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, even with just two pitches.
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Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire
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