Braves Announce Starters for NLDS: Strider in Game 1, Fried in Game 2
Brian Snitker announced the starting pitchers for the next two games in the playoffs.
Brian Snitker announced the starters on Friday for the Atlanta Braves in games 1 and 2 of the NLDS. Spencer Strider, the single-season franchise strikeout leader will take the mound in Game 1 on Saturday and Max Fried will take the hill in Game 2 on Monday evening.
Our Games 1 & 2 starters. #AsOneATL pic.twitter.com/nLOKGCpf1H
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 6, 2023
The announcement was expected. While there was some reservation about Max Fried's blister, Snitker stated there are no concerns when it comes to his start in Game 2. Fried went on the IL on September 22, missing the final week of the season, but pitched during the simulated games the Braves had this week.
Max Fried update pic.twitter.com/DTINL6duxj
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) October 6, 2023
The Philadelphia Phillies announced their starters earlier on Friday. Ranger Suarez, who started Game 1 of the 2022 NLDS, will go against Strider while Zack Wheeler, who started Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Marlins, will take on Max Fried. Aaron Nola will start Game 3 but the Braves have not announced their starter yet.
Although Atlanta has already announced the two starters, they will not release the full NLDS roster until tomorrow. Justin Toscano of the AJC has already announced one surprising inclusion, however.
Sources: The Braves told Daysbel Hernandez he made the NLDS roster. The roster isn’t set until the club submits it to MLB tomorrow morning, but it appears the Braves will carry Hernandez.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) October 6, 2023
More on what I’ve heard:
https://t.co/161kQnaRBq
Daysbel Hernandez had a brief stint with the club in July, pitching in four games with a 7.36 ERA. However, his season was cut short when he went on the Injured List in August and didn't appear in another game with the big league club. Although, he did make rehab starts with Gwinnett in September.
Hernandez is on the 60-day IL, which means there will need to be a 40-man roster move tomorrow as well to add him.
Toscano also mentioned that Jesse Chavez and Kyle Wright are not on the roster as of the time of his article's publishing. That could change but those are two names that almost felt like locks for the roster.
He also noted that Nick Anderson, who has also been on the 60-day IL but has made rehab starts, will not be on the NLDS roster. Anderson may be available for later rounds should the Braves advance.
Stay tuned for the full NLDS roster announcement on Saturday.