Strider's Fastball Is Getting Better; Mike Yastrzemski Blasts Some LHPs | Atlanta Braves Podcast

Lindsay Crosby breaks down positives from Thursday’s Braves spring training game, focusing on Spencer Strider’s improving velocity and fastball movement, how that helped his slider miss bats, and his increased use of secondary pitches (curveball and changeup) against lefties despite uneven surface results. The episode also evaluates Mike Yastrzemski’s encouraging at-bats versus left-handed pitching—highlighting adjustments, hard contact, and the limitations of small-sample platoon splits—plus how Eli White could factor into outfield solutions. Crosby then discusses Dominic Smith’s case to open as the primary DH, noting his quality plate appearances and a two-run homer off Louis Varland, while emphasizing larger team success hinges on key stars’ performance and health. The show closes with camp cuts and what keeping shortstop prospect John Gil in big-league camp could imply about his development path.

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