Breaking:Braves player Spencer Strider intends to increase his level of dominance

Braves’ best player Spencer Strider intends to increase his level of dominance. 

 

 

The Atlanta Braves’ top pitcher is determined to elevate his game even further in the upcoming 2024 season.

Still frustrated by the disappointing end to last season, which culminated in another defeat to the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Division Series, Strider

dedicated his spring training to refining a new curveball pitch, aimed at enhancing his already formidable arsenal.

Reflecting on the shortcomings of the previous season, Strider acknowledged

the team’s collective and his own individual need for improvement to achieve their ultimate goal of winning

the World Series. Thus, he focused on adding the curveball to his repertoire as a means of enhancing his performance on the mound.

In his inaugural full season as a starting pitcher, Strider achieved notable milestones and accolades. He emerged as

the sole 20-game winner in baseball, secured a commendable fourth place in the NL Cy Young Award voting, and

surpassed the franchise record for strikeouts in a season, previously held by Hall of Famer John Smoltz, by striking out 281 batters.

However, despite these accomplishments, Strider faced setbacks in the NL Division Series against the rival Phillies. He suffered defeats in both of

his starts, including the pivotal Game 4 in Philadelphia, where he yielded three runs over 5 2/3 innings, all of them resulting from solo home runs.

Although boasting an impressive regular-season record of 37-10 throughout his career, Strider has yet to secure a victory

in postseason play, having also encountered difficulties against the Phillies in his sole start of the 2022 NLDS.

“My role as a pitcher is geared towards securing victories and championships,” he asserted. “There’s no trophy for winning 162 games. From my perspective, in this team sport, my objective is to contribute towards our collective aim of winning the ultimate prize, which is the World Series.”

 

At just 25 years old, Strider exhibits moments of sheer dominance on the mound, armed with a 100-mph fastball complemented by one of the league’s top

sliders. However, as evident in postseason play, relying solely on two outstanding pitches may not always suffice.

Hence, Strider introduced a sharper-breaking curveball during spring training, offering hitters an additional challenge to contend with. The outcomes were remarkable.

Over six appearances spanning 22 2/3 innings, he conceded a mere two runs on 15 hits while recording an impressive 35 strikeouts.

“It’s a pitch that aligns well with my pitching arsenal,” Strider remarked. “It’s something I’ve utilized in the past, so

incorporating it wasn’t overly challenging. I approached it from the perspective of enhancing my skills and capabilities.”

While his focus wasn’t solely on accumulating more strikeouts to his already imposing tally from 2023, it

seems plausible that he could join the exclusive ranks of pitchers in baseball history to achieve 300 strikeouts in a season.

“I didn’t necessarily pursue this with the goal of boosting my strikeout numbers,”

Strider clarified. “It was more about adding another weapon to my repertoire. If I could, I’d learn every pitch

imaginable and have them at my disposal. However, given my strengths and abilities, incorporating this pitch made sense.”

Manager Brian Snitker expressed no surprise at Strider’s decision to refine his craft further, given his reputation for an

intense workout regimen, disciplined dietary habits, unconventional mindset, and distinctive mustache.

“I don’t think he’ll ever be content with his performance,” Snitker observed. “He’s the type of player always seeking

improvement, looking for an edge. That’s what sets him apart and makes him exceptional.”

Naturally, the outcomes of spring training games hold little significance. However, this dynamic shifts come Thursday, contingent upon the weather, as Strider prepares to make his first-ever

opening day start in Philadelphia, once again squaring off against the team that prematurely ended Atlanta’s postseason aspirations in the past two Octobers.

“If the results from spring training carried over to the regular season,” he remarked, “we’d find ourselves with a lot of misplaced confidence.”

Despite the honor of receiving the opening day nod for the six-time

defending NL East champions, Strider remains grounded and avoids getting swept up in the moment. Alongside

formidable teammates Max Fried, Chris Sale, and Charlie Morton in the rotation, he recognizes the fleeting nature of opening day glory.

“We’re fully aware that whatever unfolds on opening day will fade into the

background rather swiftly if we don’t achieve our ultimate objective six months down the line,” Strider

acknowledged. “This marks the commencement of a gradual journey toward a goal we’ve been diligently pursuing throughout the spring.”

 

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