Brian Snitker exhibited superstitious behavior ahead of the Atlanta Braves’ must-win game.
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker knows his team has to win two games in a row avoid a premature postseason exit to the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS.
The Braves are the defending World Series champions, but they are one loss away from playoff elimination vs. a division rival. One could argue Atlanta simply ran out of gas during its successful attempt to overtake the New York Mets to win the division crown. However, they are on the brink of what would be considered postseason failure for much of Braves Country. It could all end today.
So you better believe Snitker was not going to sit in the same chair that he did on Friday. No way!
Brian Snitker uses the power of superstition to wake up his Atlanta Braves
Atlanta split the first two games of the series at Truist Park. While a late rally made Game 1 closer than it should have been, the Braves lost the series opener at home on Tuesday afternoon, 7-6. With the help of the rain gods, the Day Braves gave way to the Night Braves, as Atlanta took Game 2 3-0 on Wednesday night. Then, whatever the hell happened on Friday occurred and it was awful.
Snitker bravely rolled the dice to go with Spencer Strider over Charlie Morton as the Game 3 starter. While Strider looked like himself in his first two innings of work since coming off the IL with an oblique injury, he lost his velocity in the third inning and the game got out of hand. Atlanta lost the first game in Philadelphia on Friday evening, 9-1. The Braves have to win their next two.
The good news for Braves Country is Morton has thrived in elimination games in his big-league career. If Atlanta can force a Game 5, it will be played back at Truist Park and The Battery will be rocking ahead of this winner-take-all scenario. Of course, Philadelphia is playing with the confidence akin to the Braves team from last year. The Phillies are not your typical No. 6 seed…
Atlanta needs Morton to pitch well and for the bats to wake up if they want to play on Sunday.