Wisler impresses against Astros

Confidence and a complete command of the strike zone were the perfect antidote for Braves right-hander Matt Wisler on Friday. Coming off a trio of poor relief appearances this month and sporting an 0-1 record and 9.82 ERA, Wisler started and dazzled a Houston Astros split squad with a 51-pitch, four-inning performance, allowing one hit and striking out two.

Thanks to Wisler and an assortment of relievers, the Braves carried a 4-1 lead into the ninth before Houston scored four runs on Luke Jackson to walk away with a 5-4 win before a Friday afternoon crowd of 2,791 at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

But it was Wisler’s outstanding outing that pleased Braves skipper Brian Snitker.

“I thought he located his pitches really well, especially the two-strike pitches,” Snitker said. “He’s just going out and doing his thing. He put the hitters away better than before.”

Did this outing secure the 24-year-old Wisler a spot on the Braves’ opening-day roster?

“We don’t know,” Snitker continued. “It’s how we view him helping us more. In Triple-A or out of the (bullpen), we don’t know. Nothing is set in stone. We’ll definitely need him before the year is over. He’s a big part of what we’re doing.”

For Wisler, it was a masterful performance and just what the doctor ordered for the third-year right-hander who is coming off a 7-13 mark in 2016.

“I made some adjustments and pitched pretty well,” Wisler said. “My slider got better as the game went on. And I was comfortable with the change-up, but I still have strides to make.”

CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@ AJC.COM Braves starter Matt Wisler allowed one hit and struck out two in four shutout innings against the Astros on Friday.