Chris Sale delivered a dominant performance for the Atlanta Braves in Wednesday’s series finale against the Colorado Rockies, showcasing his Cy Young form even in the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field. He allowed just two earned runs on five hits across seven innings, striking out 10. However, his effort went unrewarded, as questionable decisions from manager Brian Snitker may have cost the Braves a win.
Before the game even began, many Braves fans expressed frustration with Snitker’s lineup. While the top of the order — Michael Harris II, Austin Riley, Marcell Ozuna, Matt Olson, and Ozzie Albies — looked solid, the rest of the batting order saw a significant drop-off with Eli White, Drake Baldwin, Nick Allen, and Eddie Rosario.
Ironically, all three of the Braves’ hits came from the bottom of the lineup, though the offensive output overall was still lacking. Despite Sale’s stellar outing, Atlanta failed to capitalize, missing an opportunity to sweep the Rockies and edge closer to a .500 record. Fans’ concerns were validated, as Snitker’s lineup decisions appeared to hinder the team’s chances.
Braves manager Brian Snitker hung Chris Sale out to dry
Chris Sale may not have looked like an ace for much of the season, entering Wednesday’s start in Colorado with a 5.40 ERA — already improved from 6.17 following a solid outing against Arizona. But everyone in the Braves organization, including manager Brian Snitker, knows what the veteran left-hander is capable of. And when Sale finally delivered a dominant performance, Snitker failed to make it count.
Snitker’s decisions have come under increasing scrutiny this season — and rightfully so. From the Ronald Acuña Jr.–Jarred Kelenic situation, which many believe he mishandled, to ongoing, often puzzling lineup changes, the Braves’ skipper has made choices that haven’t consistently helped the team succeed.
Coming into the finale at Coors Field, Atlanta had won four of its last five games and was gaining momentum in both the NL Wild Card race and the division standings. The team was clearly trending upward. While this loss alone might not completely halt their progress, it certainly didn’t help build on it — and it easily could have.
The Braves are playing the 2025 season with numerous challenges: Spencer Strider’s brief return cut short by injury, Ronald Acuña Jr. still sidelined, and inconsistency across the roster. The path has been anything but smooth. Yet, Snitker seems to be adding to the difficulty, making choices that put his team at a disadvantage. Wasting a gem from Sale as he starts to find his rhythm again is just the latest misstep in a growing list.
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