After the Braves blew a 5-2 lead, thanks in part to decisions made by manager Brian Snitker, fans were calling for him to be fired in a fit of rage.
The Atlanta Braves entered the bottom of the eighth inning with thoughts of a World Series appearance already dancing through their head. They had a 2-0 series lead and a 5-2 lead over the Dodgers in Dodger Stadium in Game 3. All they needed to do was close it out.
Of course, it wasn’t that easy. After Luke Jackson was clearly pressing and struggling, manager Brian Snitker left him in the game to face Cody Bellinger. The LA slugger saw a pitch at his eyes and hit it a mile for a 3-run homer that tied the game. Even when Jackson was relieved, the bleeding didn’t stop as a Mookie Betts double pushed the Dodgers ahead.
They hold on to top the Braves, 6-5, and give Atlanta their first loss of the NLCS. With the taste of defeat and Snitker making such a critical error with Jackson, needless to say fans weren’t all too happy with the manager and team.
Braves fans reactions to Brian Snitker blowing Game 3 against the Dodgers
An 0-2 pitch and Luke gives it up. I’m sick.
— Matt Chernoff (@RealMattlanta) October 20, 2021
The entire MLB to Brian Snitker every time he puts Luke Jackson in during a high pressure situation pic.twitter.com/EPZn2oB8cM
— Clay Youñgblood (@NBClayYoungboy) October 20, 2021
Highly questionable Snitker strategy at work
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) October 19, 2021
The entire MLB to Brian Snitker every time he puts Luke Jackson in during a high pressure situation pic.twitter.com/EPZn2oB8cM
— Clay Youñgblood (@NBClayYoungboy) October 20, 2021
Snitker blows the series once again. You gotta expect it now.
— Millie tha Man (@MilliethaMan1) October 20, 2021
Snitker is one of those manager's that has success with a good roster but he will lose you more games than he will win you with his decision making.
— Real Messiah Variant (@NotMikeRNG) October 20, 2021
Snitker gotta read the room, man. He gotta know when to pull pitchers.
— TJ™️ (@IceT_J) October 20, 2021
This one is on Snitker! Bottom line
— Colman Roberts™⚾️GBO🍊 (@Colman44) October 20, 2021
It’s Luke Jackson. He never looks comfortable. Even when he’s doing well, he’s teetering on the brink. AND WHY IN GOD’S NAME IS SNITKER LEAVING HIM OUT THERE??? https://t.co/m6ywWsT7nV
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 20, 2021
It’s pretty easy to see why Braves fans were so upset.
Teams coming back from a 3-0 deficit in the MLB Postseason is nearly impossible. And Atlanta was just a few outs away from making that a reality against one of the nemeses, the Dodgers.
Alas, it didn’t happen. Now, it’s about the Braves bouncing back and trying to right the ship after Snitker and the bullpen bungled Game 3.