Braves Ace Spencer Strider Searching for Answers as Struggles, Team Skid Continue

Braves Ace Spencer Strider Searching for Answers as Struggles, Team Skid Continue originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The former Clemson Tigers' ace, Spencer Strider that hitters once dreaded, the flamethrower who mowed down batters with a record-setting pace? He's currently a man searching for himself on the mound. And the Atlanta Braves, mired in a deepening slump, are feeling every bit of his pain.

Strider's latest outing was another gut punch, as the Arizona Diamondbacks tagged him for three home runs in an 8-3 drubbing Tuesday night at Truist Park. The loss marks another frustrating chapter in the right-hander's quest to recapture the dominant form that made him a sensation before a torn UCL in his right elbow derailed his 2024 campaign.

"Command without stuff is batting practice," a visibly frustrated Strider said postgame. "That's about what I offered up today. I’ve got to be better, just to give us a chance."

The D-backs certainly treated it like BP. Ketel Marte launched two missiles off Strider within the first three frames, and Corbin Carroll added his own solo shot in the fifth. All told, Strider bled five earned runs on six hits over five innings. The numbers are grim: a 5.68 ERA through four starts this season, ballooning to 6.43 in his three outings since returning from a right hamstring strain that further complicated his comeback.

"It just doesn't come back overnight," Braves skipper Brian Snitker lamented. "I wish it would. I know [Strider] does, but it's a tough process."

Tough is an understatement, especially with the Braves' season spiraling. Atlanta has now dropped a staggering nine of their last 12 contests. They're looking up from a 10-game deficit in the NL East, now glancing nervously over their shoulder as the last-place Marlins are only four games behind. The slide is so pronounced, the unthinkable is being whispered: Could the perennial contenders actually become sellers at the July 31 Trade Deadline?

"We've got to win games, and when it's my turn to pitch, I’ve got to give us a chance to win," Strider stated, shouldering the responsibility. "If I can't do that, then I don't know what value I'm providing, besides getting reps."

This is a far cry from the Strider who was arguably the game's most electric arm from 2022-23, leading the Majors in strikeouts despite starting his rookie season in the 'pen. His record-breaking 281 strikeouts in 2023 seemed like just the beginning before an elbow injury (a compromised UCL due to a bone spur, not a full tear, leading to an internal brace procedure with a 12-month rehab) halted his ascent after just two starts in 2024.

A brief return to Atlanta's rotation on April 16 this year was quickly stymied by that hamstring strain just five days later, costing him another month.

There are glimmers, albeit faint. His four-seamer averaged 95.2 mph Tuesday, a tick up from last week. The slider, his signature weapon, still induced whiffs on 8 of 14 swings (57%) from Arizona, and an even better 60% against the Phillies previously.

But the command, or lack thereof, is killing him. An elevated changeup to Marte in the first. A 3-0 "cookie" to the same batter in the third. Another middle-middle fastball that Carroll deposited into the seats.

"Regardless of the hitter in the big leagues, they're going to do damage on those," Strider acknowledged. "I thought there were some streaks where I was really executing pitches and commanding the ball the way I wanted, but it doesn't take but one mistake to change the game."

Drawing inspiration from teammate Chris Sale, who battled back from his own early-season struggles to post a dominant 1.42 ERA in his last seven starts, Strider remains hopeful but realistic. He knows it's on him to force the change.

“I don’t think things are just going to get better on their own,” Strider said. “I think you've got to intervene deliberately... I do have the ability and the knowledge to make things better in the next five days.”

The Braves, and their fanbase, are desperately hoping he's right. The clock is ticking, on Strider's return to form, and potentially, on Atlanta's season.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.