Brian Snitker played it close to the vest, but we now know that Spencer Strider will take the mound for the Braves in Game 3 of the NLDS in Philadelphia with the series tied at 1-1 while Charlie Morton is in line to start Saturday’s Game 4.
The hard-throwing rookie sensation hasn’t pitched since a September 18th win against the Phillies after landing on the IL with an oblique strain, but after the Braves skipper said that Strider was available Wednesday, it appears he’s ready to return to the rotation with first pitch from Citizens Bank Park coming this afternoon at 4:37.
In each of his three starts against the Phillies, Strider has gone at least 6.0 innings, but don’t expect that to be the case today. According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, Strider will seemingly serve as more of an opener for Atlanta, likely going 2-3 innings before turning things over to a well-rested bullpen.
Strider is 4-0 overall against the Phillies (one relief appearance) with a 1.27 ERA and 34 strikeouts across 21.1 innings.
While Steak Shapiro and Sandra Golden had assumed that the veteran Morton would get the nod in game three, they did predict that if Strider was the choice, it would be in a bullpen game.
If the Braves and Phillies split the next two, Max Fried would get his chance at redemption in the series after Atlanta’s ace was roughed up in game one on Tuesday allowing 4 runs on 8 hits in 3.1 innings.