Spencer Strider looks to continue success against Boston

"After a positive series hosting the Cubs, the Braves hope to get off to a good start in game 1 hosting the Red Sox. Spencer Strider starts for the Braves, hoping to continue his strong start in LA. The Red Sox will counter with Connelly Early."

"The Red Sox have not had a great start to the season, emphasized by them cleaning house in their coaching staff. They are sitting in last place in the AL East at 18-24, with injury and performance issues abound. They rank 16th in MLB batting fWAR and 19th in pitching, though they are tied for the lead with the Cubs in fielding. This is a series the Braves should win at home and winning the first game always makes things easier."

"Strider had a rough go of it at Coors Field after looking quite good in his last couple of rehab starts. He then came out and struck out 8 batters over 6.0 scoreless innings against the Dodgers, walking only 2. His fastball looked good at 96.5 MPH and good life, with his slider working and his curveball and changeup mixed in with effectiveness. Let's hope that the Coors experience was an altitude-induced aberration and that version of Spencer Strider we saw in LA last weekend is the new normal."

"Connelly Early is a fun name, but has also been a highly-touted prospect and has been a solid major-league starter in his short career. The 24-year-old lefty has a 3.28 FIP and 3.70 xFIP over 62.0 career MLB innings, with 9.87 K/9 and 3.19 BB/9. He struck out nearly 12 batters per 9 innings in the minors, but that walk rate is about in line with his minor league number, as he is also a solid ground-ball pitcher. Early features a six-pitch mix with average velocity, but good extension and movement on everything except for his slider."

The Braves host the Red Sox for game 1 with Spencer Strider on the mound, aiming to continue strong recent form. The Red Sox enter with a poor season record of 18-24 in the AL East and have made coaching changes amid injury and performance problems. Their offense ranks 16th in MLB batting fWAR and their pitching ranks 19th, while fielding is tied for the lead with the Cubs. Strider struggled at Coors Field but followed it with a scoreless outing against the Dodgers, striking out eight over six innings with limited walks. Connelly Early counters as a highly regarded lefty with solid FIP and xFIP, strong strikeout rates, and a six-pitch repertoire featuring a four-seamer, changeup, sinker, and breaking balls.

Read at Battery Power