Spencer Strider didn't throw Tuesday as the Braves held open workouts to stay warm while MLB's Wildcard Round is underway. Who did pitch could explain how Atlanta is looking to set up its rotation for the weekend.
The Braves might be setting Strider up to maximize his postseason strikeout potential if Tuesday's practice session at Truist Park tells us anything. Max Fried tossed 5 innings (76 pitches) on Tuesday in a sim game, which means he might not be ready to pitch the opener in the National League Division Series.
Strider set a new Atlanta Braves single-season strikeout record this year with 277. He surpassed John Smoltz's 1996 mark and will look to continue fanning opponents with regularity in the postseason.
If Max Fried does end up starting the second game of the NLCS and has no further setbacks with his finger, he could be used if there is a deciding Game 5 of the NLDS or in Game One of the NLCS.
The Braves await the identity of their opponent, which could be decided as early as tonight, as they will be facing the winner of the Marlins-Phillies Wildcard series.