Will Spencer Strider pitch for Atlanta in the NLDS?
ATLANTA — Max Fried will get the ball for Atlanta in Game 1. The Braves are leaning towards Kyle Wright in Game 2. After that, the biggest question for the Braves — and the Phillies — is whether or not rookie sensation Spencer Strider will pitch in this series.
Strider, 23, is the latest Brave to sign a long-term, team friendly extension. The team announced Monday that the former Clemson Tiger signed a six-year, $75 million contract through the 2028 season with a club option for 2029. Atlanta’s pair of Rookie of the Year candidates, Strider and Michael Harris II, are all under contract for at least the next six years. Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson and Austin Riley are among the Braves core players that are signed to long-term contracts.
This is more of a concern for the Phillies in the future, but for now, they are wondering if Strider will appear in the series in any sort of capacity. He went on the injured list with an oblique strain on Sept. 24.
“He threw yesterday. I watched him,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said Monday. “He was really good. But he hadn’t been out there yet to throw again, to run around. I know he feels good.”
The Braves are staying tight-lipped about Strider’s status for the series. He has not pitched since Sept. 18, where he allowed one run over six innings in a win against the Phillies at Truist Park. Strider has a 1.27 ERA over 21 1/3 innings against the Phillies this season. If he does pitch, it will tough to see him get back up to a normal starter’s workload. Maybe he comes out of the bullpen or works as an opener.
“We anticipate him being really good because he was yesterday in the pen,” Snitker said. “And we’re still kind of mulling over what’s the right thing for us and him and how to use him.”
Other starting pitching options for the Braves include Charlie Morton, who has struggled this season against the Phillies, and Jake Odorizzi.
Notes
- Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. was excused from the Braves workout on Monday at Truist Park due to a family matter, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
- Fried had this to say about the Phillies: “It’s a really really great lineup over there. They’re extremely deep. One through 9 can beat you. And they’re here for a reason.”
- The Phillies will hold a workout Monday at 3 p.m. ET at Truist Park.
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