Heading into the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, things were finally starting to tilt in the Atlanta Braves’ favor.
While the news earlier in the day that Spencer Strider was headed to the injured list put a damper on the team’s mood, Spencer Schwellenbach provided a silver lining with a much-needed bounce-back performance.
The rookie went seven strong innings, keeping the Cardinals at bay and giving the Braves a chance to stay in the game.
Then, in the bottom of the eighth, the bats finally came alive. Sean Murphy, who has been slowly heating up since returning from injury, delivered a clutch three-run homer to put Atlanta ahead 6–2. With a four-run cushion, it looked like a win was within reach. All that remained was for closer Raisel Iglesias and the bullpen to shut the door.
But as it turned out, that task was anything but routine.
Iglesias’ Ongoing Struggles Nearly Sink Braves
Iglesias, who had shown signs of inconsistency in recent outings, looked off from the start. He gave up back-to-back doubles, allowing a run to score and bringing a sense of unease to the Truist Park crowd.
Still, Braves manager Brian Snitker stuck with his veteran closer.
Two batters later, the Cardinals launched a two-run homer that suddenly turned what seemed like a secure lead into a one-run nail-biter.
Yet even after the blast, Snitker made no move to the bullpen. Iglesias, clearly laboring, was allowed to finish the inning. He did eventually get the final out and seal the 6–5 win — but not without drama.
For many fans, it was déjà vu. Another late-inning scare, another moment of second-guessing Snitker’s in-game management.
Why not pull Iglesias sooner? Why take that kind of risk with a game that looked all but won?
Snitker’s Gamble: A Calculated Move, Not Just Loyalty
At first glance, it looked like another case of Snitker showing too much loyalty to a trusted veteran. Iglesias has been a rock for Atlanta’s bullpen over the past few seasons, but his recent performances have left plenty to be desired.
Letting him stay in the game as the lead evaporated felt like a gut decision, not one rooted in analytics or the eye test.
But context matters — and this time, the risk may have been necessary.
With Spencer Strider sidelined and Tuesday’s starter still uncertain, the Braves are staring down a potential bullpen game. Schwellenbach’s seven-inning effort gave Atlanta a rare chance to rest key relievers.
With a four-run lead entering the ninth, Snitker likely saw an opportunity to ride Iglesias through the inning and preserve arms for the following game, where nearly the entire bullpen will be needed.
It almost backfired spectacularly. Iglesias gave up three runs and allowed the tying run to reach the plate. But ultimately, the gamble worked.
Iglesias survived the scare, and the Braves walked away with their fourth straight win and a rested bullpen heading into a tough stretch.
A Win Is a Win — But the Clock Is Ticking on Iglesias
The win gives Atlanta continued momentum, but it doesn’t erase the concern surrounding Iglesias.
His velocity and command have been inconsistent, and his reliability — once a given — now feels like a question mark. If these trends continue, Snitker may have no choice but to rethink how he uses his closer, especially in tight games.
Still, in this particular case, the Braves got the result they needed.
The decision may not have looked pretty, but the thinking behind it was sound. When managing a 162-game season, sometimes a risky decision is the right one — even if it flirts dangerously with disaster.
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