Astros trading starter Jake Odorizzi to Braves for lefty reliever Will Smith
The Astros are finalizing a trade that would send starter Jake Odorizzi to the Atlanta Braves for lefthanded reliever Will Smith, according to multiple reports.Monday’s 3-2 loss to the Red Sox
. Odorizzi remained in the dugout throughout the game, but left the ballpark before the clubhouse opened to reporters. If the trade is finalized, Smith would afford balance to Houston’s all-righthanded bullpen. The bullpen entered Monday with the sport’s lowest ERA and faring fine against lefthanded hitters, but manager Dusty Baker has long asked for a lefthander that can afford a different look.Smith served as Atlanta’s closer during its World Series win against the Astros last season. He made the National League All-Star team in 2019 as a member of the San Francisco Giants.
Smith is struggling somewhat this season — he has a 1.51 WHIP and 4.38 ERA across 41 appearances — but the 33-year-old southpaw saved 37 games last season in Atlanta. Smith relies on a four-seam fastball/slider combo to generate chase outside of the strike zone. Smith’s whiff rate is down almost five points from last season and he’s surrendering 8.5 hits per nine innings — suggesting he’s not missing many bats — but the veteran reliever is still striking out 10 batters per nine.
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