The Braves have looked mostly lifeless through the first three games of the NLDS, outside of the final innings of Game 2, which is the only reason they aren’t sitting back at home today. Atlanta is on the brink of elimination against the Phillies for the second consecutive year, and their final chance to extend the series lies in the arm of Spencer Strider.
The last time Spencer Strider visited Philadelphia in the postseason, it looked a lot like what happened last night. He cruised through the first couple of innings before running into a buzzsaw and giving up five runs. The roof was off the building, and the Braves were eliminated the next day.
However, this is a much difference Spencer Strider that will be entering The Bank on Thursday night. A year ago, he was coming off an oblique injury and hadn’t pitched in several weeks. Tonight, he’ll be coming in 100% healthy with a chance to keep the Braves season alive.
It’s going to be an unreal atmosphere in Philadelphia. Phillies fans were already chanting “We want Strider” last night as they were pouring it on the Braves.
The atmosphere in Philadelphia is going to be unlike any other in the sport, especially with Strider on the bump, but the 24-year-old is saying all the right things leading up to the biggest moment of his career.
There is nobody else the Braves want on the mound right now more than Spencer Strider. He’s owned the Phillies throughout his career and pitched marvelously in Game 1 to the tune of seven innings and one earned run with eight strikeouts. He has the kind of stuff that can dominate the best of lineups on any given night and can send Atlanta back home for a winner-take-all Game 5. If the offense can do their part, Strider will have the opportunity to become a postseason hero in Atlanta.
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