Our Clients:

Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Sep 19, 2023 2:11 am

Spencer Strider looks to keep dealing when Braves, Phillies clash

Right-hander Spencer Strider will try to improve his case for the National League Cy Young Award while stopping the Braves’ four-game losing streak when Atlanta faces the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday in the second contest of a three-game series.

Strider (17-5, 3.73 ERA) will square off against Philadelphia left-hander Cristopher Sanchez (2-4, 3.40) in a rematch of a matchup from last Wednesday, a 4-1 Atlanta win that clinched the Braves’ sixth straight NL East championship.

The Phillies (82-68) hit five home runs and won 7-1 on Monday night. Philadelphia has a 3 1/2-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and a four-game lead over the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds for the No. 1 NL wild-card spot. Atlanta (96-54) leads the season series with the Phillies, 7-4.

Strider bounced back in his last start following two subpar efforts. He pitched seven innings and allowed one run on four hits with two walks and nine strikeouts to earn the win against Philadelphia.

Strider leads the major leagues in wins and strikeouts (259 in 169 innings). He is also tied for ninth in WHIP (1.083) and sits fifth in opponents’ batting average (.206). His 424 career strikeouts as a starter are the most for a pitcher through his first 50 starts since 1983, according to ESPN Stats and Info. Strider has made 49 starts. He also 37 strikeouts in 13 relief appearances.

In seven career appearances (six starts) against the Phillies, Strider is 7-0 with a 1.56 ERA.

“Everybody thinks I should have animosity toward Philly,” Strider said. “But for me, when I’m on the mound, every team sucks. They’re all the enemy.”

Sanchez will be making his 17th start of the season. He has made two career appearances (one start) against Atlanta in his career, going 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA.

Sanchez’s lone start against the Braves came last Wednesday in the loss to Strider, when he worked 7 1/3 innings and allowed four runs on eight hits with one walk and a career-high 10 strikeouts.

“That’s going to be a key arm for us going down the stretch,” Philadelphia designated hitter Kyle Schwarber said of Sanchez.

Sanchez got eight strikeouts and 18 swings and misses on his changeup in the start against Atlanta.

“I think they probably haven’t seen a changeup like that out of other guys,” Phillies catcher Garrett Stubbs said. “It’s an elite one, especially from a left-handed pitcher.”

Philadelphia broke out the bats on Monday and matched its season high with five home runs. Since Aug. 1, the Phillies have outhomered the Braves 90-89. Schwarber, who hit his 45th home run of the year on Monday, has a career-high 120 walks, only nine short of the franchise record set by Lenny Dykstra in 1993. Philadelphia is 42-14 in games Schwarber has scored a run since he was moved to the leadoff spot on June 2.

Schwarber needs one RBI to join a list of 12 other players who have had 100 runs, 100 RBIs, 120 walks and 45 home runs in a single season dating back to 1920. Babe Ruth did it eight times.

Atlanta right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. returned to the lineup on Monday after leaving Friday’s game against the Marlins and missing the last two games with right calf soreness. Acuna went 1-for-4 with a double in his return.

–Field Level Media

You may also like

Sep 29, 2023 6:41 pm

Giants dismiss manager Gabe Kapler

The San Francisco Giants fired manager Gabe Kapler on Friday after four seasons leading the club. The news was announced hours before the Giants began a season-ending home series against…

Sep 29, 2023 6:31 pm

Yankees reinstate RHP Keynan Middleton from IL

The New York Yankees reinstated right-handed reliever Keynan Middleton from the 15-day injured list on Friday. The Yankees optioned right-hander Yoendrys Gomez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move. The…

Sep 29, 2023 3:15 pm

Miguel Cabrera to be Tigers’ special assistant in front office

Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera already has another job lined up as his decorated playing career winds down. The Tigers announced Friday that the 12-time All-Star will begin his new…

More Baseball News

Sep 29, 2023 6:41 pm

Giants dismiss manager Gabe Kapler

The San Francisco Giants fired manager Gabe Kapler on Friday after four seasons leading the club. The news was announced hours before the Giants began a season-ending home series against…

Sep 29, 2023 6:31 pm

Yankees reinstate RHP Keynan Middleton from IL

Sep 29, 2023 3:15 pm

Miguel Cabrera to be Tigers’ special assistant in front office

Sep 29, 2023 1:48 pm

Orioles extend lease at Camden Yards for 30 years

Sep 29, 2023 12:53 pm

Mets-Phillies game postponed, doubleheader set for Saturday

Read all
fb-post
advertisment
title-icon

Upcoming events

See all odds