Spencer Strider looked like his old dominant self last night against the Philadelphia Phillies, and his fastball was as lively as ever. Strider’s fastball averaged 97.5 miles per hour last night, which matched his second-highest average this season. Spencer’s slider was also working last night as the Phillies whiffed 13 of their 20 swings versus the slider.
The Braves right-handed flame thrower also recorded his 300th career strikeout last night. Strider is the second pitcher since 1901 to throw 300 strikeouts in his first 35 career starts, joining Dwight Gooden.
Not including last night’s performance, in his last three starts Spencer had struggled giving up 15 runs on 18 hits, and 6 home runs, the Braves second year pitcher out of Clemson had a 9.00 ERA during that span. However, The Morning Shift explained why last night’s start proved that Strider has no long-term concerns.
Spencer pitched six innings, gave up eight hits, only one run, striking out nine Phillies, and did not walk a single batter in the Braves’ opening game in their latest three game set with their NL East foe. This morning Mike Johnson explained why this start was the turning point between real concern setting in and keeping calm.
“I think with one more bad start you really would’ve worried about what Spencer Strider was heading into two or three starts before the All-Star break, which is coming up in three weeks now. You would’ve probably worried about what he was doing and really been yearning for Max Fried to get back in the rotation, but with what he did last night everything kind of calms down.”
Beau and Mike both called Strider’s outing last night “dominant”, and now what everybody thought could’ve been a real issue with Spencer just now simply seems like a sophomore slump that the Braves young power pitcher has overcome.
