The Atlanta Braves swept the Padres on Sunday, but it wasn’t without drama as Will Smith continues to cause manager Brian Snitker headaches.
The Braves are on track to clinch the NL East after a sweep of the Padres. The good feelings came with some stress attached thanks to Will Smith.
Manager Brian Snitker has Atlanta fans pulling out their hair by continuing to throw Smith on the mound for close-out situations.
On Sunday, Smith came in for the bottom of the ninth with the Braves leading 4-3. He walked the bases loaded and managed to get out of trouble with a pair of strikeouts to end the game.
Brian Snitker is stressing out Braves fans with Will Smith in close games
It all ended just fine, but it wasn’t a fun experience for fans.
Will Smith time pic.twitter.com/p22H6wlK3o
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) September 26, 2021
Watching Will Smith close Braves games is taking years off my life. Massive win.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) September 27, 2021
AND WILL SMITH STRIKES OUT THE SIDE WITHOUT GIVING UP A HIT YEP DEFINITELY A STRESS FREE INNING FROM OUR FAVORITE CLOSER WILLIAM MICHAEL SMITH
— Sean Murphy Appreciater (@JDunnah) September 27, 2021
Will Smith walked the bases loaded, got two strikeouts thanks to dubious umpiring and then gets a swinging strikeout to end the game and give the Braves another golden victory. The entire Braves team all looked visibly relieved in the handshake line
— Battery Power (@BatteryPowerSBN) September 27, 2021
Will Smith’s wife is a cardiologist. He’s just tryna drum up some business for her. 😰😰😰#ForTheA
— Mark Arum (@MarkArum) September 27, 2021
If the Braves make the postseason, Will Smith is going to send me to Grady Memorial Hospital
— Maine (@mainey_maine) September 27, 2021
A win is a win and a save is a save for a relief pitcher. However, Snitker is playing with fire persisting with Smith in those situations. It may work out now, but walking the bases loaded is a recipe for disaster. If the home plate umpire had been less generous it could have been a disaster.