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Atlanta Braves: Spencer Strider putting together award-worthy stretch

By Kevin Henry

Aug 26, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (65) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (65) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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How do you cement your status as the favorite to win the 2022 National League Rookie of the Year award? With his recent appearances on the mound, Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider is putting on a clinic on that topic.

Spencer Strider has been solid on the mound as the Atlanta Braves aim to defend their World Series crown

Strider, who is currently considered the favorite to win the award as the National League’s top rookie, has allowed one run or less in nine of his last 11 starts dating back to six innings of shutout baseball on June 26 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 23-year-old right-hander posted a 2.70 ERA in five July starts (against Cincinnati, St. Louis, the New York Mets, Washington, and Philadelphia) and has backed that up with a 3.10 ERA in five August starts (Philadelphia, two against the Mets, Houston, and St. Louis).

In his last six starts, only the Mets on August 7 (four runs and six hits in 2.2 innings) have logged more than one earned run against Strider. That includes Friday’s start in St. Louis where Strider scattered six hits and one run over six innings in a postseason-type atmosphere against the Cardinals. He also racked up seven strikeouts versus one walk, and one of those Ks came against one of the hottest MLB hitters at the plate in Albert Pujols.

In 20.1 innings this month, Strider has struck out 31 (including 13 against the Phillies on August 2) while walking just six. August’s totals add on to what has been a strikeout-filled season for Strider, who has racked up 158 Ks in just 106.2 innings pitched.

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Strider’s main competition for NL Rookie of the Year could well come from his Atlanta Braves teammate, Michael Harris II, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI in support of Strider on Friday night. However, with Strider putting together an impressive string of outings against some of the best teams in baseball, including division leaders in the Dodgers, Mets, Astros, and Cardinals, it may be tough for Harris to overshadow what Strider continues to do on the mound.

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