Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Braves All-Star SP has surprising comments on Shohei Ohtani

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 8/2/23

Shohei Ohtani has left little doubt that he's the most dynamic and unique player in MLB.

That's what made Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider's postgame comments on the Los Angeles Angels superstar so noteworthy on Tuesday night.

#Braves’ Spencer Strider on facing Shohei Ohtani: pic.twitter.com/9RSjjnjIAM
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 2, 2023

It's true that any big league batter can get a knock off of any pitcher at any time, and Strider did say "no disrespect" to Ohtani, but still, seeing somebody call the 2023 AL MVP favorite "just like anybody else" is surprising.

Fortunately for the Braves righthander, he's crafting a remarkable resumé himself in his second full season and can back up most of his talk.

Strider got that historic strikeout and didn't have to wait long -- struck out No. 2 hitter Shohei Ohtani in the first inning.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 1, 2023

The strikeout not only made Strider 5th pitcher to record 200 strikeouts in each of his first two seasons since the mound was moved to current distance in 1893, also broke his own record of fastest to 200 K in a season. Set record at 130 innings, did it in 123 1/3 this season.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) August 1, 2023

Strider finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2022 after going 11-5 with a 2.67 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 202 strikeouts across 131 2/3 innings pitched. The 24-year-old made his first All-Star team this summer and is tied for the major league lead in wins (12) against just three losses in 2023. Strider also ranks first in the majors in strikeouts (208) by a wide margin and is third in the NL in WHIP (1.08).

Tuesday was the first time since July 2 where the Clemson University product didn't register double digit strikeouts, as he finished the evening with "only" nine across his 6 2/3 innings of work. Strider's now had at least nine strikeouts in eight consecutive outings dating back to June 20.

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