To say that Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker has caught a lot of heat in the 2025 season would be a vast understatement. Some of this is well earned, while a larger portion is due to a front office that didn't give the manager the needed pieces.
However, there is no denying the veteran manager has made himself an easy target at times this season. This includes Friday night's decision to put Alex Verdugo in the starting lineup, hitting ahead of Austin Riley and Matt Olson in the second spot. As respected Braves journalist Mark Bowman pointed out, it was an eye-catching decision.
Verdugo's early offensive success has faded down the stretch of the 2025 season. As Bowman points out, his .209 average dating back to the first week of May is indefensible. Still, it seems Snitker knew exactly the button to push to turn the tide. The Atlanta outfielder went 2/3, scoring a run and earning a walk in Atlanta's 12-4 win over the Rockies. It offered a spark near the top of the lineup and helped aid the Braves' early comeback.
Braves Manager Brian Snitker Helped Verdugo With Surprise Lineup Change
Alex Verdugo has slashed .209/.263/.255 since the start of May. Pretty sure somebody put something in Snit's coffee when he put Verdugo in the lineup today, let alone the two spot.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) June 13, 2025
It is important to note that Snitker opted to do this against a Rockies team that has already lost 56 games this season. The manager didn't take the risk against an established contender or in a moment that truly mattered. Leading to a further defense that this lineup has left the manager no other choice but to plug bad options into key spots. The Braves have far too many struggling players to do anything else.
For Snitker, it is a nice win in a season when it seems nothing can fall his way. The veteran manager has often made himself an easy target and does appear to be a veteran who is simply managing the team his way, understanding that it could be his last season.
This doesn't come as a surprise with the recent postseason struggles and Snitker's extensive time with the organization. With retirement appearing around the corner, this is a nice win for a manager who is going to need a whole lot more of them to have any hope of going out on top.