Spencer Schwellenbach takes the mound in hopes of continuing his spring success.
The Atlanta Braves are set to take on the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Tampa, FL. Spencer Schwellenbach is going to get some work in as he is tabbed as the starter.
So far this spring Schwellenbach has pitched 12.2 innings. In these 12.2 innings he has looked great. He has a 3.55 ERA so far, which is palatable. However, his other numbers have painted an even better picture. He has sixteen strikeouts to only one walk, and a WHIP of 1.03.
His 2024 season WHIP was 1.04 and ERA was 3.35 over 123.2 innings pitched. If Schwellenbach can keep pitching like he has in the spring into the regular season, he is showing signs of not having the dreaded sophomore slump. One thing we don’t know is if fatigue will play a part because before last season he had only pitched 110.0 innings in the minors. To be fair though, 45.0 of those innings did come last season. In reality he pitched 168.2 innings between the two levels last season.
The trend has been that the Braves have been playing mostly the B squad in away games this spring. Today is more of a mixture as we see potentially up to seven players playing today that could be in the opening day lineup. We have yet to see if Jarred Kelenic and Bryan De La Cruz will be a platoon to start the year until the outfield is fully healthy.
Midweek matchup on the way!#BravesST pic.twitter.com/5Bu7xJNUJS
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 19, 2025
It is kind of funny to see De La Cruz in the cleanup spot. If that were to happen in the regular season, that would mean the Braves are in worse injury trouble than they were last season.
The Yankees will bring former Cleveland star Carlos Carrasco who is fighting for a roster spot. He can opt out of his minor league deal by this weekend if he wishes.
How to watch/listen
The first pitch is at 6:35 Eastern and can be watched via Gray TV and listened to on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan.