The Braves’ Spencer Stryder shakes off recent struggles, returning to a dominant form versus the Phillies

Philadelphia – Spencer Stryder hasn’t been quite like himself in recent starts. His usually insurmountable laser of the fastball was suddenly a pair of slower, slightly weaker ticks, and his usual impenetrable confidence and mustachioed mound presence weren’t exactly threatening to hitters.

But facing a familiar opponent Tuesday night in Philadelphia, Stryder got back into shape.

Yes, he gave up eight hits, but seven of them were singles, one was a double, and the Phillies’ Stryder limited to one run in six innings, with nine hits and no walks in a 4-2 win in the Series opener.

In six regular season games (five starts) against the Phillies, the right-hander is 6-0 with a 1.62 ERA, and has 52 strikeouts with eight walks in 33 1/3 innings pitched.

He returned to fill in the area on Tuesday – 72 strikeouts on 103 pitches. He threw 22 fastballs at 98 mph or faster and topped out at 99.9 mph, up significantly from his top speed of 97.9 on Wednesday in Detroit, when he gave up five runs and three runs in five innings.

Strider had a 6.47 ERA in his previous six starts with 10 homers allowed in 32 innings pitched. And although the MLB strikeout leader still hit 48 kp in those games, he also issued 15 walks in that span.

There were no walks on Tuesday for only the second time this season, and fewer than two walks were allowed for the first time since May 12. This was the Strider that Braves fans were used to seeing, or at least close to that form.

“No one in (the Braves clubhouse) was worried about that guy,” said Braves first baseman Matt Olson, who hit his 21st homer, one short of the NL lead. “He’s one of the best outs in baseball. He’s a solid starter. He was the heater, his slider was good, and he had some really good changeups as well. When he gets those two pitches and mixes in a solid third as well, he’s going to be tough to match.”

Phillies manager Rob Thompson said, “He did well when he had to. He’d hang out with runners in the scoring position. He’s had a lot of ups and downs. But we have our chances.”

Stryder continued what was a personal possession for the Phillies during his two seasons in the majors, with the notable exception of a division series that began last October, when he was running back from a slashing dynasty and ran out of gas early in a loss to the eventual NL pennant winners.

During the postgame media session on Tuesday, Stryder talked about his latest performance and how he put his recent starts behind him.

On his fastballs topping out at 99 mph in the first inning, he’s upped a few marks on his most recent start:

They know me and I have to be better every time I encounter them. They made it hard tonight. This is where mixing, moving the fastball, was important. I give credit to (catcher Travis D’Arno) for that.

On looking more aggressive and confident from the start tonight than with some recent starts:

It’s important to expect good results, especially when they’re competing with players and we’re in big situations. I kept trying to focus on the next pitch more than anything else, keep my focus there and trust Travis. Like I said, he described a really good game, kept them balanced for the most part, and we managed to limit the connection to singles and doubles. This is good.

On the improved pitch command compared to recent starts:

I think it’s a combination of being relaxed and not trying to force anything, as well as being committed to executing, hitting the gauntlet, and sticking to my strengths. I’m going to have bad outings, and I’m going to have good outings, so it’s just a matter of trying to adapt from each one and trying to get better in the long run.

On his keys to success against the Phillies in all of their regular season games:

It’s like (confronting) everyone else, really. You read the swings and see what their approach is, try to spot them early, and then adjust. You stick to your strengths, but also kind of watch what they’re doing, try to figure out what that is, and get a good mix. I think the most important thing is just throwing the punches. I have to compete in the strike zone, especially with my stuff. That’s how I need to play, and if we can be competitive in the strike zone, especially with the fastball, I usually hit it off and we’re in good shape.

On whether he was at all interested in dropping pace in his previous starts:

At this exact time last year, my marigolds were at their lowest average this season. It’s kind of that point in the year. You’re starting to feel a little tired, and you’ve made some adjustments. And I think it speaks to the commitment of guys who can kind of stick to this rough patch — or my rough patch, really — and the tendency sometimes is to start changing things and panicking. You can not do that. Luckily, I have a lot of guys around me who have been through things and struggled in and out of it. These are better shooters and better players (because of that). So, try to listen to them, and then stay true to what I’m doing.

About who said something to him that resonated:

My wife, Maggie. Who did not know how many strikes there were in the strike a few years ago. You’ve come a long way, and when you say something about baseball, I listen. I did, so that was helpful. And Crane (shooting coach Rick Kranitz) kind of echoed that message. He and I sat down and had a good, long talk a couple of days ago. That was very helpful. I think everyone wants to help, and see things. And I appreciate the input — sometimes too much. I like to feel like I have everything at my disposal and can learn from everything around me. And you can get paralyzed by analyzing too quickly.

So, trying to figure out who to trust and what’s meaningful, and what can I take away from what people say is important. But like I said, you’re going to have bad walks, you’re going to have bad stretches, it’s how you learn from it and how you recover.

On what his wife said that really hit home regarding the promotion:

Her message was, don’t listen to everyone who tells you something. And coming from her, that means a lot. She usually knows what she’s talking about.

The Phillies play highlights on the video board before Tuesday’s game against them in their Division Series win:

Last year is the last year. The good and the bad. I care less about what’s on the scoreboard, wherever you are. If anything, it’s nice to play somewhere where people are involved and the other team is fine. I kind of like facing a familiar opponent. I think it’s a challenge and it kind of forces me to keep my strengths and execution, and keep things simple. And I think that’s what I needed.

So, wasn’t there an extra drive facing the Phillies after losing to them in your first playoff game?

No, I want to defeat everyone. I hate all opponents equally. (He laughs). Not to offend them, but that’s kind of how the game should be played, I guess. If you don’t wear my shirt, we’re fighting over food. That’s kind of how it goes. Yes, if anything, you have to step it up a bit, having run into them a lot and they are very familiar with me. And they are good, so you must have a good plan and implement it. And like I said, we did that today, I think, and it’s a really good thing to come here and win the first game in the series.

(Photo by Spencer Strider: Bill Streicher/USA Today)