To say that Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker has faced a healthy level of criticism in the 2025 season would be a major understatement. There was the Jarred Kelenic debacle that helped push an already irate fan base over the edge early on in the season. After an 0-7 start and the team's best player taking a shot at Snitker, it has been open season on the Atlanta manager.
A piece of this is earned, and another is due to how incomplete this roster was built. There was a false sense of belief that the Braves could get by until their two best players returned to form. While this hasn't been the case, this week's series against the Mets has kept hope alive.
Within this, it is important to point out what a well-managed series it has been for manager Brian Snitker. Whether it was trusting Spencer Schwellenbach to figure out early struggles or yanking Chris Sale before the game's final out. Both were the type of savvy moves the manager has made a career of, even in the middle of imperfection.
There simply isn't a perfect manager in the league, and Snitker's time with the organization and accomplishments are appreciated. However, there is also no denying the veteran manager's role in the heat he has felt in recent weeks.
Braves Manager Brian Snitker Makes Clutch Calls in Series Win
The decision to pull Chris Sale might not have been a popular one, but it was the correct decision for a veteran well north of 110 pitches. It was a dominating performance that Snitker gave the veteran a chance to finish out of respect. Deciding to go out and pull the veteran has two roles. The first is making sure nothing slides out of hand in what was a pivotal series win for Atlanta.
The other is the fact that you must protect Sale from himself. The pitcher is an absolute gamer on the mound and is going to leave everything on the field for his team. Deciding to pull Sale after throwing so many pitches and allowing a late base runner was about preserving the incredible game and bullets that Sale will need if Atlanta's season is going to turn around.
It is incredibly clear that if anything great is going to happen for Atlanta in the 2025 season, it is going to be because of the trio atop the team's rotation. Sale has been the most dominant of the top three options and put this on full display on Wednesday night. The game served as a reminder not only of Sale's greatness but of an Atlanta manager who does have far more hits than misses and should be given the same energy when making the right decisions as he is in mistakes.