Spencer Strider gets the nod as Braves seek sweep of Reds

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 15: Spencer Strider #99 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Truist Park on May 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images This week’s Braves road trip has already been a success. They’ve won two

What is the story about?

This week’s Braves road trip has already been a success.

They’ve won two more series, bringing their series record to 16-2-1 on the season. They became the first team to reach 40 wins with Saturday’s 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds, reaching a season-high 21 games above .500.

Atlanta looks to make it a 5-1 road trip in Sunday’s 1:40 p.m. EDT series finale against the Reds at the Great American Ballpark.

The Braves will give the ball to Spencer Strider (3-0, 3.46 ERA) as they look for a sweep of Cincinnati.

After a rocky, erratic season debut at Colorado, Strider has found a real rhythm in his last four starts. He’s thrown five-plus innings and allowed three runs or less in his last four starts, winning his last two and three of his last four.

He’s also posted a batting average against of .171 or lower in each of his last four starts, allowing 11 hits over 22 2/3 innings with 26 strikeouts and 10 walks.

Strider has a strong track record against the Cincinnati Reds, albeit not having faced them since 2023. He has a 1-0 record and 2.77 record in three appearances (two starts) with 25 strikeouts to three walks.

The Reds will counter with southpaw Nick Lodolo (1-1, 5.57). Like Strider with his oblique, Lodolo missed the start of the season with a blister. He made his season debut May 8, five days after Strider did and has made one fewer start (four).

Unlike Strider, Lodolo didn’t get off to a very strong delayed start, posting a 7.20 ERA and 0-1 record through his first three outings, striking out 11 and walking nine.

He’s coming off a breakthrough start, however, having thrown a season-high six innings and allowing one run on six hits, striking out seven and walking one in a 7-2 road win over the New York Mets on Monday.

Aside from chase percentage, there’s a whole lot of blue on Lodolo’s Statcast profile.

Lodolo has one career appearance against the Braves in May of 2025. He didn’t factor into the decision after allowing two runs on five hits over six innings (3.00 ERA), striking out seven and walking none in a game Atlanta won 5-4 in 11 innings.