The Atlanta Braves offense was embarrassed on Sunday, and Brian Snitker doesn’t know what happened.
Over 14 innings of baseball, the Braves registered just one hit. This includes a seven-inning no-hitter by the left arm of Madison Bumgarner, which may or may not go down in baseball history as an official no-no.
The Braves don’t care about that debate, but what they should be asking themselves is what in the world happened on Sunday. Atlanta’s offensive struggles to start the season have been well-documented, and outside of outfielder Ronald Acuña they’ve still failed to grasp their role in leading the Braves back to the postseason. It’s a long year, but we’re nearly a month in. It’s about time the likes of Freddie Freeman and Marcell Ozuna did something. I mean, anything really.
Braves: Brian Snitker doesn’t know what happened on Sunday
Sir, it’s your job to figure this out. The Braves’ lack of offensive success isn’t a new issue. It’s April 26, and the Braves have somehow found a way to remain just two games out of a crowded NL East race. Much of that is thanks to the ineptitude of the rest of the division, but there’s no guarantee that sort of poor play continues.
Snitker and Braves hitting coach Kevin Seitzer need to act now. It’s no longer early enough to just assume the lineup will improve with time. Acuña is an MVP candidate thus far, but he cannot continue to carry the offense on his own. Freeman is just barely over the Mendoza line, Ozzie Albies is hitting .164, Ozuna isn’t much better at .184. The advanced statistics aren’t much kinder, either, except the fact that Freeman is apparently making better contact of late.
Atlanta is far too talented to sit around and allow this sort of losing to continue. Step up, Brian Snitker. It’s time to act.