Here's everything Brian Snitker said about the game three loss to the Philadelphia Phillies

The Atlanta Braves chose to start Bryce Elder in game three of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, and it worked well for the first two innings.

But after two flawless innings, Nick Castellanos greeted Elder in the bottom of the 3rd with a leadoff home run, and by the time Michael Tonkin finally finished the inning, Philly scored six runs and had sent ten men to the plate, with both Castellanos and Bryce Harper homering.

Here's what manager Brian Snitker said about the 3rd inning and the rest of the managerial decisions after the game:

Media member: "What are you thoughts entering that third inning, and especially after that first homer? Are you thinking, maybe starting getting guys up (in the bullpen) at that point in time?"

Snitker: "No, I mean, just after going into the third inning, I thought maybe he'd go five.I mean, he was like, looked like his old self. I mean, the stuff was really good and, um, No, I mean, it just kind of went quick."

M: "So even even after the (Castellanos) homer and a couple of hits, whatever else happened, you still didn't make the call or Kranny (pitching coach Rick Kranitz) didn't make the call or there was no conversation prior to that about maybe getting somebody up earlier?"

Snit: "Um No, not really. I mean, I just, you know, he had what? he had two outs and one guy on. I think in the inning, is it...is it (according to) process? So that's it."

M: You've been around a long time. Can you (tell us), what are your impressions of what Bryce Harper has done in the not only this postseason, (but) last postseason and the kind of player he is?

Snit: "He's a Hall of Famer. I mean, he's one of those guys that loves that stage. You know, he's always been very...You know, he's a special, special player. You put him in the spotlight, and he's gonna shine."

M: "Did it hurt? Were you handcuffed, only having a couple of lefties in the pen that you could really..."

Snit, cutting him off: "Well, yeah, I mean, it's just... Because it's gonna come back around. Um, you know, it's tough that early to, you know, blow that and then, or to use one of them and then, 'cause you're gonna get stuck.

I mean, I believe (Elder had) probably two more bats, having him...having to face right-handers. So, you know, the way, and too, just the way Bryce was throwing, I just, I was thinking, man, you know, he was really good and, and um, the slider was good. His changeup was good. Uh, the stuff and it just kind of, I don't know. I mean, it's the third inning of the game and, and, um, a lot with a lot to cover on the back end of it."

M: Snit, uh, two homers in three games. Just obviously it was a big part of your offense all year. Just how do you look at that?

Snit: "No, we just, I mean, we didn't in two. I mean, you know, we didn't swing the bats that well today. Nola was really good again. And, um, you know, it's been, we've been an offensive team. And, um, in two of the three games in this series, we haven't been.

So hopefully we come out tomorrow and swing the bat, score runs, and put ourselves in a position to get this thing to game five."

M: When you finally did make the change, you chose Tonkin over Hand or Smith-Shawver. I'm just curious what went into that decision.

Snit: "Yeah, well, it's just because he's the guy that could get loose quicker, and that's kind of the guy, where we were in the game, that we've been using.

Um, I mean, I mean, you can seocnd-guess everything we do. I mean, if it doesn't work, it's not the right move. So, I mean, it's, you know, we had Tonkin up for Max the other day, you know, at that particular point in the game. And, you know, if we went through another inning, then would've we changed to somebody else?

But that just kind of, um, you know, when we got a lot of guys that we had wanted up on (specific innings), and, uh, that's just the guy that we had right there."

M: Going back to Harper: given what you said about 'this is special player', did you give any thought to walking him in that moment?

Snit: "Yeah, you know. Yeah, I did honestly. Um. I hate to put more - You know, just hoping maybe that we'd make a pitch on him? He'd pop a ball up or if we walked him unintentionally, that would have been fine. Um you know, and he hit a homer. You know, he could have popped it up. He could have rolled it over to somebody and he didn't, so... That's just kind of, you know, what it is."

M: What were your thoughts on what AJ (Smith-Shawver) did, and how could that help him if you need him?

Snit: "I think it's it was great that he got to experience this. Um. You know, just to get him in the game and, um. Get him out there. It was good. It's good. Um, you know, going forward, it's just something he can build on and because he's going to be a big part of this for a long time, you know, as long as he's here.

So, um, it's good to get him in that game after, you know, at that particular time where we knew he could stretch the game for us. And we didn't have to use a lot of our relievers. And now we got him for, you know, the next two games."

M: Nobody wants to be down two (games to) one. But if you're going to be down two to one, how nice is to know you have Strider and Fried?

Snit: "No, it's great. I say if we can't win one of those two games or both of those games with those guys, then you know what? That's... I feel pretty good about the next two starts that we got."

For the full context, here is the press conference video in full, courtesy of Bally Sports South:

"I feel pretty good with the next two starters that we got."

Braves manager Brian Snitker discusses NLDS Game 3 decisions as his team now faces elimination. pic.twitter.com/YaW1vqFr0m
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) October 12, 2023

Check out Braves Today on Socials!
Follow Braves Today on Twitter!
Like Braves Today on Facebook!
Check out the homepage for more Atlanta Braves News!
Subscribe to Braves Today on YouTube!
Get Exclusive Braves Merchandise from FOCO