The Braves aren’t messing around when it comes to how they will approach the start of the season. Following their most recent transactions, it appears like their roster is already set more than a week away from Opening Day. I talked about in a different post earlier today, which you can see by following this link , and most recently, the Braves named their Opening Day starting pitcher — Spencer Strider.
Nobody would have batted an eye if Brian Snitker had played the seniority card and handed the ball to Max Fried once again on Opening Day. He has been the ace of the Braves rotation for nearly half a decade, showcasing unmatched consistency from year to year. Fried’s also looked really good this Spring Training coming off a season where he missed half of the year with an elbow injury. He’s more than deserving of an Opening Day start.
With that being said, Spencer Strider is the right choice. If Game 1 of the Divisional Round was tomorrow, it would be Strider getting the ball. He’s the ace of the staff now and deserves to be treated like it. Beyond what he’s proven on the mound early on in his career, the way he’s carried himself in his preparation and as a leader in the clubhouse has been exemplary.
Brian Snitker’s an old school coach that’s been around professional baseball for much longer than I’ve been alive. For that reason, many expected him to give the Opening Day start to the seasoned veteran in Max Fried. However, it’s his ability to recognize when a young player has done enough to earn an honor like an Opening Day start that makes him such a fantastic manager.
Spencer Strider versus the Philadelphia Phillies has turned into one of the best rivalries in the sport. The Phillies have gotten the better of him in the postseason, but he’s dominated them in the regular season, pitching to the tune of an 8-0 record with a 1.90 ERA and 13.7 K/9. This is an opportunity for Spencer Strider to set the tone on the road in front of a raucous Philadelphia crown with Zack Wheeler toeing the rubber on the other side. It’s two of the best arms in the game on two of the best teams in the league; the perfect way to kick off the 2024 season.
More must-reads: