PHOENIX — In the waning days of the regular season, some still see the Braves’ closer situation as shaky. In manager Brian Snitker’s viewpoint, there’s no concern whatsoever. Lefty Will Smith is the man.
That’s perhaps the biggest contrast in perspective between the team itself and those who watch from their sofas. The truth lies in the middle.
Uncertainty surrounds Smith each time he tows the rubber with a narrow lead, which is the case for any non-elite closer. The statistics back that up, with Smith sporting an ERA approaching 5.00 in the past two months. But the bottom-line production looks acceptable. Smith has 33 saves in 39 chances. His save total is fourth in the majors.
Many dismiss the save number, as the game has evolved past looking at just surface stats. To that point, the results don’t necessarily reflect the process. While he’s often protected the lead, Smith hasn’t been a lock-down option. He’s allowed at least one base runner in 16 of his past 20 appearances, making protecting a one-run lead late a scary proposition for the Braves.
That reality popped up again Friday, when Smith blew the save, giving up a two-out, two-strike homer to the Giants’ Donovan Solano to end an at-bat in which he threw five consecutive sliders. It spoiled a valiant comeback attempt, and the Braves lost in extras.
“Sliders, try to get him to swing over them,” catcher Travis d’Arnaud said of their strategy against Solano. “Unfortunately, he got a good pitch to hit and didn’t miss it. Just have to tip your cap. He made the adjustment and made us pay.”
Snitker, a staunch defender of Smith, as he is all his players, has never wavered from his commitment to his closer. He didn’t disagree with Smith going slider-heavy to Solano, saying the issue was placement (which is true – he hung the fifth slider that resulted in the homer).
“That’s the life of that role and that job,” Snitker said. “You have to have a short memory. He’ll bounce back.”
As predicted, Smith rebounded Sunday, recording a perfect ninth inning in the Braves’ 3-0 win over the Giants. It was the third time in his eight appearances this month that he’d logged a clean inning.
“That was awesome (to see Smith bounce back),” Snitker said Sunday. “I know Will took (Friday’s performance) harder than anybody the other night. He couldn’t wait to get back out there. … He was really good. I’m happy for him to bounce back like that.”
Snitker closed with further endorsement: “It shows why he does that job. He can turn the page. You have to have a short memory, and he showed why we’re going to (use) him.”
Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@
Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@
Whether Smith warrants such confidence is debatable. The lefty has a 4.91 ERA over his past 19 appearances (18-1/3 innings). He has surrendered six homers in that time. He has blown two saves in six chances this month. He hasn’t been flawless, obviously, but he also hasn’t been as bad as he’s sometimes perceived.
Even if he wanted to make a change, Snitker doesn’t have many alternatives. Chris Martin isn’t the same pitcher he was earlier in the season. Richard Rodriguez has tailed off. Tyler Matzek has excelled in his role, and given his history, the team wouldn’t want to risk it.
One viable option could’ve been Luke Jackson, who’s been among the better relievers in the majors. Jackson has a 2.05 ERA in 64 games while holding opponents to a .209 average. He has some closer experience from 2019, when he saved 18 games but ultimately was replaced. Like Matzek, the Braves have put Jackson in an ideal role to succeed.
The Braves plan to sink or swim with Smith, barring a severe change of course over the final two weeks. They need Smith to hit his stride and get on a season-best role as the team tries to secure a postseason spot. If he doesn’t, the Braves’ trip to October, should they earn it, might be short-lived. If he does, the bullpen will look that-much better when it matters most.
