Current:Home > FinanceBraves on brink of elimination, but Spencer Strider has what it takes to save their season-LoTradeCoin
Braves on brink of elimination, but Spencer Strider has what it takes to save their season
View Date:2024-12-23 23:12:24
PHILADELPHIA – Spencer Strider says that a challenge like Thursday night's National League Division Series Game 4 is the stuff of front-yard dreams.
Yet it's fair to assume that those visions did not include a juiced-up crowd preceding Strider's name with four-letter invectives, with mocking chants even 24 hours before he was supposed to pitch, and with full-throated, ceaseless roars that fire up the home crowd, unsettle the visitors and maybe influence an umpire's call or two.
That's playoff reality these days at Citizens Bank Park, where the Philadelphia Phillies can eliminate the 104-win Braves in the NLDS and move on to an NL Championship Series against the upstart Arizona Diamondbacks.
Nobody wants to be pitching to save the season. But to a large degree, Strider says, bring it on.
"When I was a kid, I was out in the front yard just pretending I was pitching in the World Series. I think that's kind of what a lot of kids' journey is like," says Strider. "Nobody wants to come into the game in a regular season game in June. You're always preparing or visualizing yourself in the biggest games in the biggest moments.
FOLLOW THE MONEY: MLB player salaries and payrolls for every major league team
"That's what you visualize your whole life is the opportunity to go out and pitch in a game like this and to play in a game like this."
And if it has to be somebody staring down elimination, there's few in baseball who wouldn't opt for Strider.
The man struck out 281 batters to easily lead the major leagues, and also led the bigs with 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings and 20 wins. Simply, Strider keeps the ball out of play, and watching just a few minutes of postseason baseball drives this value home even more.
It doesn't hurt when your ace also isn't likely to run from the assignment.
"I think he'll relish it," says Braves manager Brian Snitker. "I think he was very excited to get that opening start in the playoff round, and I think he'll be very excited and prepared and ready for the start tomorrow, too."
Strider pitched well in Game 1 of this NLDS, holding the Phillies to one earned run (a Bryce Harper home run, of course) in seven innings. But a de facto Phillies bullpen game bested him, with starter Ranger Suárez recording just 11 outs before a half-dozen relievers teamed up to complete the shutout.
It's unlikely the sextet can replicate that performance, although Wednesday's 10-2 win in Game 3 means manager Rob Thomson was able to rest three of them — lefty Jose Alvarado and right-handers Jeff Hoffman and Craig Kimbrel.
The piggyback will take on the punchout artist. And the latter has no choice but win and send the series back to Atlanta for a Game 5 Saturday.
Even in an unfriendly environment.
"Even if you're not on the supported team, you know, you got phenomenal fans here that are very passionate, and that's great for baseball," says Strider. "It's a good postseason environment, to say the least.
"And I think if you can figure out how to kind of focus on the right things, it's good energy for you."
veryGood! (8145)
Related
- Stock market today: Asian stocks dip as Wall Street momentum slows with cooling Trump trade
- Gypsy Rose Blanchard to Explore Life After Prison Release in New Docuseries
- Brawl between migrants and police in New York’s Times Square touches off backlash
- Radio crew's 'bathwater' stunt leads to Jacob Elordi being accused of assault in Australia
- High-scoring night in NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo explodes for 59, Victor Wembanyama for 50
- Kylie Jenner's Extravagant Birthday Party for Kids Stormi and Aire Will Blow You Away
- Heidi Klum's Daughter Leni Embraces Her Acne With Makeup-Free Selfie
- Rep. Victoria Spartz will run for reelection, reversing decision to leave Congress
- Biden funded new factories and infrastructure projects, but Trump might get to cut the ribbons
- 'Category 5' was considered the worst hurricane. There's something scarier, study says.
Ranking
- John Krasinski named People magazine’s 2024 Sexiest Man Alive
- A new purple tomato is available to gardeners. Its color comes from snapdragon DNA
- Deadly shark attacks doubled in 2023, with disproportionate number in one country, new report finds
- Ryan Reynolds, Randall Park recreate 'The Office' bit for John Krasinksi's 'IF' teaser
- Britney Spears reunites with son Jayden, 18, after kids moved in with dad Kevin Federline
- Grammys red carpet 2024 highlights: See the best looks and moments
- Toby Keith dies at 62 from stomach cancer: Bobby Bones, Stephen Baldwin, more pay tribute
- Mississippi’s top court to hear arguments over spending public money on private schools
Recommendation
-
Auburn surges, while Kansas remains No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll
-
FDA move to ban formaldehyde in hair straighteners called too little, too late
-
Texas mother, infant son die in house fire after she saves her two other children
-
How to get tickets for the World Cup 2026 final at MetLife Stadium and more key details for the FIFA game
-
Taylor Swift's Mom Andrea Gives Sweet Nod to Travis Kelce at Chiefs Game
-
Sabrina Carpenter and Saltburn Star Barry Keoghan Cozy Up During Grammys 2024 After-Party
-
Nikki Haley asks for Secret Service protection
-
Illinois man gets 5 years for trying to burn down planned abortion clinic