Atlanta Braves vs. Toronto Blue Jays Pick & Prediction APRIL 16th 2025

Preview and Prediction

Atlanta Braves hurler Spencer Strider is set to take the mound for his first start in over a year on Wednesday afternoon against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The two teams have split the first two games of their three-game series, with the Blue Jays coming out on top 6-3 in Tuesday night's matchup.

This will be Strider's first appearance in the majors since April 5, 2024. He missed the rest of the season due to surgery on his right elbow's ulnar collateral ligament, which was repaired using an internal brace.

During a rehab outing with Triple-A Gwinnett on April 10, Strider struck out 13 batters in 5 1/3 innings, allowing only one run and three hits. He threw 90 pitches, 62 of which were strikes.

Braves manager Brian Snitker commented, "He felt really good."

Strider also had a side session on Sunday to prepare for his season debut.

In 2023, Strider had an impressive record of 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA and 281 strikeouts over 186 2/3 innings in 32 starts. He has only faced the Blue Jays once in his career, with a record of 0-1 and a 1.35 ERA. In that game, he struck out 12 batters and allowed only two runs (one earned) in 6 2/3 innings on May 12, 2023.

The final game of the series could be a thrilling pitching matchup, as right-hander Chris Bassitt (1-0, 0.98 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Blue Jays. In four career starts against the Braves, Bassitt has a record of 2-2 and an ERA of 2.92.

The Braves continued their home run streak on Tuesday, with Austin Riley hitting one out of the park for his third homer of the series. In total, the Braves have hit six home runs in the first two games.

However, the Blue Jays were able to capitalize on their home runs on Tuesday, with both of their runs coming in the five-run fifth inning against Spencer Schwellenbach.

Alan Roden, who scored in the third inning after hitting a double, hit a two-run homer in the fifth for his first career major league home run.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider stated, "Hopefully today can kick-start him, but when you look up, he's been productive, you know."

Anthony Santander finished off the fifth inning with a three-run homer off a cutter that didn't cut. This was the Blue Jays' first three-run homer of the season and their 11th overall. Despite his high price tag, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has yet to hit a home run in 18 games, going 0-for-2 with two walks and an RBI.

Santander, who has hit his first two homers of the season in the past three games, said, "We know that power is going to come at some point, right? Personally, I've been feeling good the last four games, hitting the ball a little harder, and hopefully I can continue that rhythm."

The Blue Jays' support was enough for right-hander Kevin Gausman, who allowed two runs on two solo home runs over six innings.

On Tuesday, Toronto recalled Addison Barger from Triple-A Buffalo and placed Nathan Lukes on the paternity list. Barger played right field and went 0-for-4.

The Braves were disappointed by their loss, as they were hoping their 8-4 victory in the series opener would be the start of a comeback.

They were confident with Schwellenbach and his 0.45 ERA starting in the second game. However, after 4 2/3 innings and six runs, his ERA rose to 2.55 and the Braves suffered another loss.

Snitker commented, "I thought his stuff was really good. But he just missed location, and when you do that to these hitters, you're going to pay for it, and it's just one of those things that happens. It happens to the best of them."

PREDICTION

Atlanta Braves

4

3

Toronto Blue Jays

Atlanta Braves vs. Toronto Blue Jays Recap APR 16TH 2025