Spencer Strider on the mindset the Braves need to adopt for 2024.

According to Spencer Strider, it is World Series or bust for the Atlanta Braves in 2024.

Spencer Strider took another significant step forward while turning in his first full season in the majors in 2023. He ascended to the top of the Atlanta Braves’ rotation, broke John Smoltz’s record for strikeouts in a season, and tossed a career-high 186 ²⁄₃ innings. However, it’s proven difficult to get Strider to focus on individual accomplishments, especially when his team fell far short of expectations. Strider spoke Saturday at BravesFest and discussed his preparation for the season and the adjustments he wants to see from himself and his teammates in order to find success again in the postseason.

“Yeah, it’s the best. It makes it feel like the offseason never happened and then it’s been three years at the same time,” Strider answered when asked about how good it is to see everyone again. “I’ve been here working out. A couple guys have. It’s been nice to kind of stay in the routine, but yeah, great to see everybody.”

Going into last season’s Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, no one could have predicted that Atlanta would struggle offensively the way they did. Strider pitched well in Game 1 and Game 4, allowing a combined four earned runs to go along with 15 strikeouts in 12 ²⁄₃ innings. He received one run of support, losing 3-0 and 3-1.

“That’s all I’ve thought about. That’s the conversation that we’ve had as a team,” Strider said. “Whether it’s in groups or one on one throughout the offseason, it’s just ‘How do we put ourselves in a position to have a better outcome in the postseason?’ Not to say we have the regular season down, I’m certainly not insinuating that. Never know what’s gonna happen. But we gotta make the most of everything that happens throughout the regular season so that we’re in the best position possible in the postseason. I think that last year was a big learning experience, like you said, for me and just for everybody.”