The Braves have had terrible luck in California. Spencer Strider can help fix that.
The Atlanta Braves are looking to win the Series against the Athletics and take their second win in the state of California this season.
California has not been kind to the Braves this season. It is where they started the season 0-7 and prior to playing the Athletics had not won a game in the state. Spencer Strider will be pitching today with hopes of helping the Braves change their fortunes in the state.
It is no secret that the offense and injuries in the rotation have severely hampered the Braves this year. The Braves’ playoff chances have dropped down to 5.1 percent according to Fangraphs. The offense will have to kick things into gear quickly and get Strider some run support today if they want to win the series. Despite having a solid 3.93 ERA and 1.164 WHIP, his record is 3-7. It is pretty clear just how bad his run support has been.
Strider has not been the same Strider so far since his injury. His 10.31 strikeouts per nine innings is very good, but it is nowhere near his career 13.06 that we are used to seeing. His walk rate has been up a tick as well with a 3.44 per nine innings when his career rate has been 3.04. His xFIP of 3.67 is also good, but much higher than his career 2.87.
His last five starts show he is headed in the right direction. In that timeframe his ERA is much lower at 2.70, his FIP has been 2.36 and thirty-nine strikeouts to ten walks.
If he keeps up his rate of pitching tonight against the Athletics the Braves have a legitimate shot of coming out with the win. Only two players on the Athletics’ roster have ever faced Strider. Both are catchers so odds are that only one will see him tonight. Former Braves’ prospect Shea Langeliers and Austin Wynns. Wynns has success in his limited sample of four at-bats. He has one HR and a .750 average. Langeliers is 0-2 against Strider.
The Athletics have JP Sears slotted to start. Sears has a 4.76 ERA and 1.273 WHIP in 92.2 innings pitched this season. In his last five starts he has been much better in terms of ERA with a 3.55 ERA and 4.03 FIP in 25.1 innings. Since he is a lefty, Michael Harris will likely have the night off. No one on the Braves has more than seven ABs against Sears. Profar has had the most success with a 1.167 OPS.
All eyes will be on the offense tonight to see if they can get Strider the support he needs.
First pitch is at 9:05 EDT.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Monday, July 10, 9:05 p.m. EDT
Location: Sutter Health Park, Sacramento, CA
TV: FanDuel Sports South, Southeast
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan