Preview: Atlanta Braves look to even series with Tigers in Game 2
The Atlanta Braves suffered a tough extra innings loss on Monday evening in Detroit. Atlanta has now lost two in a row and those losses have come from teams that are not performing that well in 2023. It was also tough losing knowing the Tigers threw a bullpen game. However, that's professional baseball for you. Sometimes you don't win the games you are expected to.
Spencer Strider and the Braves hope to turn things around on Tuesday afternoon as they face Detroit in game two of the series. Marcell Ozuna will likely miss time in the lineup after being hit by a pitch on his wrist yesterday. Luckily for Atlanta, they have a couple of good options to place in the DH role.
Starters for Braves at Tigers Game Two
As mentioned above, Spencer Strider (6-2, 3.79 ERA) takes the mound for Atlanta on Tuesday evening looking to earn his seventh win of the season. Strider's previous start against the Mets was not a good one as they continue to hit well against him. He lasted just four innings allowing eight runs on eight hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.
Spencer has a 6.75 ERA over his last three starts that spans 16 innings. He's allowed 12 runs on 13 hits with 7 walks and 24 strikeouts. He is clearly still pitching well enough to get swings and misses but it could be a case that he could be throwing too many strikes. Over those three games, Spencer has thrown strikes 67% of the time.
The walks have been a problem in the last two starts specifically and Spencer has 28 of them on the season so far. That has him tied for 14th most in the National League with Corbin Burnes. He's far from the worst but it's definitely something to keep an eye on.
He will be opposed by Tigers rookie and Georgia native, Reese Olson. Olson was recently called up by Detroit on June 2nd so he is just making his third start of the season. He's faced the White Sox and Phillies so far this season and completed five innings in each start. He's allowed three runs on five hits with two walks and nine strikeouts over those two starts.
He was originally drafted in 2018 by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 13th round. Olson appeared in 26 games for the Tigers Double-A affiliate, the Erie Seawolves in 2022 and pitched to a 4.14 ERA. He carried a 33.1% strikeout rate and 7.5% walk rate in 119.2 innings pitched. Reese features a 4-seam fastball, changeup, slider, and curveball.
Where to watch Braves at Tigers
Where: Comerica Park in Detroit, MI at 6:40pm EST
Watch: Bally Sports South
Listen: 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan