How Spencer Strider Can Be Elite Again with Great IVB

Spencer Strider's path back to elite form could redefine the Atlanta Braves’ 2026 season. Can a boost in induced vertical break (IVB) on his four-seam fastball make the difference? Jake Mastroianni unpacks the science behind IVB, revealing how this key metric transforms a pitcher’s arsenal—illustrated by Nick Pivetta’s success and Strider’s own changing performance. Discover why location, velocity, and pairing with secondary pitches like Strider’s slider are crucial, and what the advanced data tells us about getting hitters to swing under the fastball.

Additional mailbag rapid-fires pit stars like Matt Olson versus Freddie Freeman, Chris Sale against John Smoltz, and debate which pitching prospects could see MLB action first. Plus, what would it take for Chipper Jones to become the Braves’ full-time hitting coach? Tune in for analytics-driven Braves insights, intriguing hypotheticals, and answers to burning Atlanta baseball questions shaping the team’s future.

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