KISSIMMEE, Fla. – He gave up a leadoff double to Astros star Jose Altuve in the first inning, but young Braves pitcher Matt Wisler settled down quickly and turned in a solid outing Sunday in his second spring start.
The right-hander gave up two hits, one run and two walks with three strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings against one of the better lineups in the Grapefruit League, with Houston playing most of its regulars including a top-of-the-order trio of Altuve, George Springer and Carlos Correa.
After throwing only one breaking ball and no changeups in his extremely efficient 17-pitch, two-inning debut last week, Wisler used all his pitches against the Astros including the changeup he worked to hone this winter under the direction of former Braves great Tom Glavine.
“I saw a lot of good stuff out of him,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “He threw a lot of changeups to those lefties. He’s gone out there and thrown now, what, 4 2/3 innings? He’s been pretty darn effective with everything. I like the way he’s gone about his business.”
Wisler, who impressed while making 19 starts as a rookie, came to camp as one of three Braves rotation near-certainties, along with opening-day starter Julio Teheran and veteran newcomer Bud Norris. Wisler has a 1.93 ERA after two starts, allowing three hits, one run and two walks with four strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
“Today was good,” he said. “The first inning wasn’t quite as sharp. I think that’s why I came out in the third. My pitch count just got too high. But as the game went on I felt good. The second inning I felt really good. I made almost every pitch that inning. The slider was sharp in that inning.”
Wisler retired the last three batters in the lineup in order in the second inning, then struck out Altuve looking to start the third inning. After Springer walked on a full-count changeup, Carlos Correa lined out on a nice diving stab by third baseman Adonis Garcia.
That was all for Wisler, who threw 50 pitches (27 strikes).
“The third inning, I threw a lot of changeups to righties,” he said. “To Altuve and to Springer. To Springer, I mean, the 3-2 changeup, I thought I threw well and he just kind of spit on it (took it). I don’t know if he was taking or just saw it out of the hand well. But to have my changeup feel good today was a big positive for me.”
