Spencer Strider getting his groove back for the Braves
Spencer Strider continues to be Clemson's most prominent star in Major League Baseball. The flame-throwing pitcher finished second last season in the National League Rookie of the Year race to his own teammate Michael Harris. In 2023, Strider is without question the most prolific strikeout pitcher the Majors have in today's game.
This year has presented some new obstacles for the young star. Strider was supposed to be a part of a three-headed monster featuring former Cy Young candidate Max Fried and 20-game-winner Kyle Wright but both Fried and Wright have found themselves on the 60-day IL and left Strider to carry a larger load. Whether it was that new pressure or a more traditional sophomore slump Strider had recently seen a string of starts that weren't up to his early standard.
Spencer Strider currently leads Major League Baseball with 146. (Braves.com)
However, the mustached Strider has started to figure it out again and gave a dominating performance Monday night against the Minnesota Twins. On a night in which the Atlanta offense was slow to get going and needed Strider to go deep in the game, he ended up giving the team 7 innings of one-run ball. The one run came off an early mistake to slugger Joey Gallo but that was one of only three hits that the Twins earned all night off of Strider. This was only the second time this season, and first since April that he had gone at least 7 innings.
Strider's ERA dropped back down to 3.73 he added another 10 strikeouts to his league-leading total. Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters after the game, "He was really good. I thought his last 2 have been really, really, really good. And tonight I thought he was probably in one of his modes and rhythm where he could have pitched all night." If that rhythm continues look for more nights like this in the near future for Spencer Strider.