Spencer Strider turns back the clock as Braves route Dodgers

An argument could be made that Spencer Strider will be the biggest factor in whether or not the Atlanta Braves can get back to the top of the mountain this season.

Atlanta’s rotation has been superb through the first month-and-a-half, getting unexpected production from several arms that were never projected to play such prominent roles when pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training. However, there are still legitimate long-term concerns surrounding the group, particularly when looking ahead to a potential postseason series.

Outside of Chris Sale, the Braves don’t really possess another proven frontline arm, and the odds of acquiring one at the trade deadline feel slim. Eventually, somebody internally is going to have to rise to the occasion, and the only pitcher on the roster that’s already shown he’s capable of being that guy is Strider, who from 2022-2023 was arguably the most dominant strikeout pitcher in baseball.

We all know the story by now.

InternalBrace surgery essentially wiped out his 2024 season, and when he finally returned in 2025, he didn’t look anything like himself. Add in a few more minor injuries over the last two seasons, and it’s been almost impossible for him to establish any sort of rhythm.

Strider’s first start of 2026 last week didn’t exactly inspire much confidence either. His command was erratic, walking five batters in just 3.1 innings, and the stuff seemed to fade after the first 20-25 pitches. Honestly, it looked a lot like the same version of Strider we saw a year ago.

Of course, context mattered.

It was his first MLB outing in months, and making your return at Coors Field is about as unforgiving a scenario as possible for a pitcher still searching for consistency.

His second assignment wasn’t exactly friendly either: a road matchup against a loaded Los Angeles Dodgers lineup. But what we saw Saturday night was the best version of Spencer Strider since the surgery.

The velocity on both the fastball and slider jumped nearly two full miles per hour, and the induced vertical break returned with it. The result was a complete masterclass: eight strikeouts, 15 whiffs, and just one hit allowed across six innings of shutout baseball.

That’s the Spencer Strider Braves fans have been waiting nearly two years to see, and doing it against the two-time defending champions in their own building only makes it more encouraging. More importantly, it was only his second start of the season. There’s every reason to believe he could continue getting stronger as the year progresses.

Offensively, the Braves made sure to give him plenty of breathing room early. By the time Strider took the mound for the second inning, Atlanta already held a five-run lead thanks to RBIs from Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, and Michael Harris II— three players that have been instrumental to the club’s torrid start.

But the offense was an afterthought on Saturday. Last night was about a pitcher who once looked destined to win multiple Cy Young awards before injuries completely derailed his momentum. The road back has been anything but smooth, and with every uneven outing, the crowd of doubters only grew.

One complete performance won’t silence all of them overnight. But they’re certainly a lot quieter this Mother’s Day morning.

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