Atlanta Braves NLDS Roster: Spencer Strider Is In, Bryce Elder Is Out

The Atlanta Braves announced their 26-man roster for the NLDS on Tuesday morning and the biggest news is that Spencer Strider was included. 

Obviously, the question still remains of how the Atlanta Braves will be able to utilize Spencer Strider against the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS.

But the fact he’s on the roster is a good sign and means we will likely see him at some point.

He’s 4-0 against the Phillies this year, but he also hasn’t pitched in nearly three weeks, so even if he is available he might not be able to go very long.

Perhaps the Braves will use Strider as an opener and see if he can go at least 3 innings.

A lot may depend on what happens early in this series. If the Braves take Game 1 then you could wait it out and give Strider some more rest for a potential Game 4.

But if the Braves drop Game 1, you may be forced to use Strider in Game 3.

Braves NLDS Roster: Extra Bench Depth

Brian Snitker and the front office decided to go with 12 pitchers and 14 position players. Ehire Adrianza was likely the 14th man added to the roster to provide some extra flexibility on the infield.

If things go as hoped, you likely don’t see Adrianza on the field in this series. But the same could have been said for whoever the 13th pitcher would have been for the Braves.

In the postseason, you’re hoping to only use eight or nine of your best pitchers. If they have to go to someone like Jackson Stephens or Jake Odorizzi then that means things are either going really bad or really great.

I thought perhaps we’d see Bryce Elder get the nod over Odorizzi, but in a ‘what have you done for me lately’ kind of world, the experience and last impression of Odorizzi in Miami likely earned him the nod.

Tyler Matzek, the postseason hero from 2021, was left off the roster with some elbow discomfort. He was likely on the fringe of making the roster anyway, but hopefully he’s OK as it’s been a disappointing year for the lefty.

But this the 26 Atlanta will going with against the Phillies in the NLDS. This is a group primed to do be things and go on another great run, but it all comes down to execution on the field. Let’s go Braves!