Spencer Strider helps Atlanta Braves clinch sixth straight Division Title
Spencer Strider is only in the second year of what should be a long and storied career for the Atlanta Braves. However, despite his youth, he's already accumulated accomplishments that most 10-year veterans would envy. Wednesday night was another big one.
The National League Rookie of the Year runner-up took the mound Wednesday knowing that his team needed one more win against the rival, and current second-place division opponent, Philadelphia Phillies. That pressure, combined with a below-average start in his last time out, may have been the reason why it took him 33 pitches to get through the first inning, giving up a run.
(Atlanta Braves/X)
With that type of start to the game, most pitchers wouldn't last much past the 4th inning but Strider isn't most pitchers. He bounced back in a major way to finish with seven innings, the last of which came after he had already passed 100 pitches, nine strikeouts, and only that one run from the first to set up his bullpen.
In the midst of a raucous celebration in the visitors' clubhouse, Strider spoke to Kelly Crull of Bally Sports Southeast on his start, "They had a great approach. They made it hard in the first inning. We made a lot of good pitches. They fouled some balls off, took some good pitches and [Sean Murphy] did a great job of figuring out what their approach was and just getting us in the zone and getting us outs. So we were able to go seven and save the bullpen a little."
When asked about what it's like to be a part of a team that's now won six straight division titles, and currently holds the best record in baseball, Strider gave a humble response, "I'm so grateful to just be on this team with these guys. They go out there every day, we got guys that play every single day and it doesn't matter what we do on the mound they're always going to put us in the position to win the game. We're always there because of those guys and like I said I'm very grateful to be playing with them."
The second-year pro is currently in the conversation for the NL Cy Young Award.