Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider can add his name to the team's record books when he takes the mound on Saturday night against the visiting Washington Nationals.
Strider (19-5, 3.81 ERA) needs three strikeouts to break the Braves' modern-era, single-season strikeout record of 276 set by John Smoltz in 1996. Strider has won eight of his past 10 starts.
Washington (70-90) opened the season-ending, three-game series vs. Atlanta with a 10-6 victory on Friday. The Nationals tied their season high with five homers in the win.
Strider will look to close the regular season on a high note for Atlanta (103-57), which has clinched the National League East and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.