Braves Preview: Atlanta looks to sweep Reds with Strider on the mound

The Atlanta Braves look to wrap up what has been a tremendously entertaining series tonight against a game Cincinnati Reds ballclub. The first two games of the series were one run affairs that have featured plenty of heroics. In game one, Sean Murphy bailed out a bullpen that spoiled an excellent start by Bryce Elder. The pen gave up four runs over the last three frames leaving Atlanta down one in the bottom of the 10th. Murphy responded with a shot to centerfield and walked us off on Monday night.

Last night was another excellent contest with the offense helping to carry a newly activated Kyle Wright. Wright showed some rust, giving up four runs in the third inning. Ozzie Albies and the Braves responded with some offensive fireworks of their own, and the feel-good story of Michael Tonkin and Braves bullpen did just enough to secure the series. The Braves will put Spencer Strider on the hill as they attempt to go for their second sweep of an NL Central club this season.

The Braves have won both of Strider's starts so far this year, and the young right hander has been a strikeout machine in those contests. Strider a whopping 18 batters over the course of 11 innings and his 14.727 K per 9 rate ranks second in all of baseball behind the Red's Nick Lodolo. One key to look for tonight with Strider will be his ability to get deeper into the game. After only pitching five innings against the Padres, Strider talked openly about waniting to help out the pen.

"“It’s just a matter of continuing to find the mechanical consistency,” Strider said. “There’s a lot of positives to take away. ... Obviously, I’d like to not hand four innings to the bullpen.”"

- Spencer Strider

With Wright's short outing last night, it will be even more important for Strider to work later into the game and help the pen out.

The Reds have arguably some of the best young talent on the mound in the MLB. The aforementioned Lodolo has been carving up major league lineups this year, and the man on the mound tonight has some of the best stuff in the league. Hunter Greene possess one of the best fastballs in baseball averaging 99 mph and has reached up to 102. Greene struggles with command however, and has yet to finish five innings in a game this season. The Braves will need to get to him early and knock him out of the game to have the best chance at completing the sweep.

How to watch Braves vs. Reds

Date/Time/Location: 4/12/23 at 7:20 PM EST at Truist Park

TV: Bally Sports Southeast, MLB Network

Radio: 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan