The Atlanta Braves' season continues to find new lows in the midst of a miserable homestand that continues to push the season down the drain. Spencer Strider struggled in the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, falling behind 5-0. However, the Braves battled back to make it a 5-3 game in the game's final frames. In a two-run game, manager Brian Snitker decided it was a great time for Rafael Montero to work multiple innings.
Predictably, this ended poorly with Montero running out of gas and giving up a three-run homer that pushed the game out of reach. This was after having Monday off, giving Snitker every reason and ability to manage the game with a sense of urgency. If the season isn't already
Braves' Manager Brian Snitker Continues Concerning Trend of Making Questionable Decisions
Keeping Montero in the game for an additional inning appeared to be punting on an important game. While the Braves were never in the lead, the team was within reach and deserved to be given a better chance. Snitker's decision to have Montero pitch an additional inning cost the team three runs and showed why some fans have grown increasingly frustrated with the veteran manager.
This is again where it is important to note that Snitker is being asked to make a five-star meal out of questionable ingredients. Atlanta's offense is horribly inconsistent, and there isn't one arm in the Atlanta pen that is consistently reliable. However, there is also no denying the manager deserves blame for an approach that continues to cost the team games. Atlanta is managing as if it were in the thick of the wildcard race and not free-falling towards the bottom of the National League.
Atlanta now finds itself five games below .500 and not appearing to be anything close to a contender. Snitker is making matters worse, making these types of simple mistakes that an experienced manager should be above. Yes, it is a long season, but the Braves have fumbled away what little margin for error they possessed.
It is past time to approach each game with healthy desperation, and that doesn't mean asking one of your least reliable relief options to go multiple innings in a two-run game. If the team didn't just have a day of rest and was dealing with a heavily taxed pen, it would make a level of sense. Having Monday off leaves no defense for Snitker and continues to push the manager's job security into question.