NL DIVISION SERIES: PHILLIES VS BRAVES

October 9, 2023

Brian Snitker

Truist Park

Atlanta Braves

Pregame 2 Press Conference

Q. Snit, you got the matchup you wanted there Saturday with Alvarado. Why did you change the lineup again today?

BRIAN SNITKER: It's a different starting pitcher when you guys look at the matchups in a playoff series, is that you solely deciding on a final lineup or do you take input from everybody else?

BRIAN SNITKER: No. I mean, I'll talk to people, but it's my decision ultimately.

Q. And are you ready to announce a Game 3 starter?

BRIAN SNITKER: No.

Q. Could the Game 3 starter depend on what happens or do you know who it is and don't want to announce it yet?

BRIAN SNITKER: No. We're not 100 percent sure yet. Again, tonight's game could alter the landscape a little bit of what we're looking to do.

Q. Snit, this group has talked all year long about the way they bounced back from adversity. What is it about the way they're built that you feel like they're still in a really good position here?

BRIAN SNITKER: Yeah. I feel like we are. I mean they've been through all those wars and the long seasons, the playoff runs, all that and understand it's all part of it. I mean, like I say, if we could add maybe ten inches more on a couple of balls we hit the other day, then it's a totally different outcome in that game. But that's the way the game is. That's postseason baseball. Sometimes stuff like that happens, and I think they understand that. It's a new day, and a chance to do something really good. And they'll come out and prepare and be ready to go like they always are. And still got a few games to go in this thing, last I looked. So I think they'll be fine.

Q. Snit, you guys have obviously seen Wheeler a lot. What makes him so special?

BRIAN SNITKER: Just stuff. His stuff, competitiveness. He's one of those guys, I think that when he goes out there, he expects to throw the last pitch that their team does. I mean he's one of the top pitchers in our game, and just a complete package.

Q. I know you did what you could last week to try to ramp up the competitiveness in the off week. Right now the top seeds are one and five in the postseason. Is that just baseball being baseball?

BRIAN SNITKER: Yeah. No, I mean, like I say, you do what you can do. I mean there's no -- just that actual game-type thing, man. You hate it when you sit for five days. But it's what we were dealt with. We did as good as we could. Results remain to be seen, but it's not a perfect thing, I guess. But you have to deal with it.

Q. We've heard you, Max both say the blister is good. Is there any precaution tonight as far as like anything different he'll be doing?

BRIAN SNITKER: No, not really. I think just turn him loose. Again, he's done everything. The training staff. We like where it's at, how it feels the other day, and the innings that he pitched. And I think everybody feels real confident that he'll be able to go out there and extend the game and do what he can do.

Q. Snit, this place in Atlanta, in the last few years has gone to another level as far as atmosphere and noise and all that. It really didn't exist before. Has Philly done the same thing since they got really good the last couple of years? Have you noticed a big difference in the crowd there, how loud it is?

BRIAN SNITKER: Yeah. I mean last year was pretty crazy. So I mean, it's one of them spots.

Q. When you say different starting pitcher, you must mean that you knew that Suárez would only last an inning or two.

BRIAN SNITKER: Yeah. We kind of knew he was going to be on a short leash and that the bullpen was going to play a big part of it. With Wheeler I fully expect him to go as long as he can go, as long as he's effective.