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#pounditThursday, March 28, 2024

Brian Snitker’s risky strategy pays off in NLDS Game 2

Brian Snitker

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker took a big risk in the seventh inning of Game 2 of the NLDS, and it paid off handsomely for him.

Snitker was left with a difficult choice in the bottom of the seventh. He had the pitcher’s spot up with two outs and a man on first, with his team leading 1-0. The catch? Starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz had thrown seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits, walking none, and striking out seven. He had done it all on just 81 pitches.

It would have been very easy for Snitker to let Foltynewicz hit for himself, especially in light of the fact that Atlanta’s bullpen struggled mightily in Game 1. He ignored that temptation, pinch-hitting Adam Duvall for Foltynewicz. The move was widely criticized on social media, and some boos could be heard from the home crowd in Atlanta when Duvall was announced as the pinch hitter.

The last laugh went to Snitker, as Duvall hit a two-run home run to center field to expand Atlanta’s lead to 3-0.

After a poor Game 1 that also included a lot of unnecessary drama, Snitker has to feel good about his call. It could have very easily backfired on him, but he got the last laugh here.

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