Atlanta Braves: Spencer Strider just keeps breaking records

For most players, it is a goal to set a franchise record. For Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves, he got that opportunity on Monday against the Miami Marlins.

The right-hander out of Clemson threw his ninth consecutive game with nine or more strikeouts, passing John Smoltz’s franchise record of eight. This, though, was not enough for the man once-deemed by Braves country as “The Quad God” as Strider made this feat even better by striking out 13 batters.

Strider was downright lethal on Monday night. He was perfect through 6.1 until Matt Olson botched a routine ground ball to first. The hurler continued throwing the heat, continuing through the seventh. During the eighth, Jean Segura got a small blooper to left field to spoil the no-hit bid.

Strider has been sensational since coming up last year and starting as a reliever. Through his last 15 starts, he has 137 strikeouts, a 1.60 FIP, and a 2.06 ERA. The strikeout rate alone should be alarming to most hitters. However, with this hurler, you can pick a stat out of a hat, and it will be absurd for a second-year pitcher.

When Strider made the switch from reliever to starter, people were concerned, saying his being a two-pitch pitcher would cause problems down the road for him. Well, an entire season through, he is throwing a sub-3.00 ERA and doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

Currently, the second-year hurler out of Ohio is flashing shades of prime Jacob deGrom, and it is a fantastic sight to see for Braves fans. Last year, Strider missed NL Rookie of the Year, coming in second to teammate Michael Harris II. This year, it seems like he is trying his best to make his case for NL Cy Young, and it is working.

The Braves have the right-hander locked in through the 2028 season. If he continues to have this kind of production, he will undoubtedly go down as one of the Atlanta greats. Strider’s next start is slated to be against the Mets on Saturday. With two more nine-plus strikeout games, Strider will set the record for the most of any MLB pitcher.