NL DIVISION SERIES: PHILLIES VS BRAVES

October 10, 2023

Brian Snitker

Citizens Bank Park

Atlanta Braves

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Did you decide on a starter yet?

BRIAN SNITKER: No. We're still discussing.

Q. Can you go over kind of what options are? Are you leaning towards an opener or regular starter?

BRIAN SNITKER: That's the type of things we're looking at really. So we got the rest of the morning. When I get done here, we're going to go discuss it more.

Q. What are some of the other variables that you and your staff are taking into consideration when determining who will start Game 3?

A. A lot. Length-wise, we have some options, guys that, you know -- there's a lot of things. Like I said, if we want to do an opener, who are we going to follow up with if we decide to do that, if we want to just go the traditional route. There's a lot of different scenarios that we're looking at.

Q. Is it fair to assume that if it wasn't kind of an exceptional environment and a situation, that Smith-Shawver might be an easier choice if he's one of the options?

BRIAN SNITKER: No. He's obviously one of the guys in the conversation. Yeah, I mean, we weigh all that stuff in our discussions because it is a wild scenario there.

So like I say, I think we're leaning one way, but we're just going to try and finalize it here probably in the next hour.

Q. So much has been made about your ability to connect with the players and the special bond you have. With that said, when you have a pitcher making their playoff debut, do you say anything to them or just hey, man, it's go time?

BRIAN SNITKER: No. I don't think you have to. Those situations kind of speak to themselves. And you know what, there's probably nothing I'm going to say that they already haven't thought of or there's a lot to process.

If they're making, like I say, a first start in the playoff. So there's a lot that goes into that anyway. I can tell them all I want, pat them on the back and all that kind of stuff, but until they toe that rubber and feel that emotion and adrenaline rush and everything, then that's when it'll become real for them.

Q. You guys have faced -- Aaron Nola has pitched against the Braves a few times this season. Does that familiarity come into play with facing him often and what is the key to having success against him?

BRIAN SNITKER: It does because we've got guys that have had a lot of history with him. I know he was really good the last time he pitched against us. He's, again, one of the top pitchers in baseball.

I mean, how he -- just the assortment that he has, how he can extend games. We've had a few guys that have done okay off him. He's done okay off us, too.

He's a tough ride because he's got so many weapons, and he throws strikes. And he can command his fastball. So you just gotta get in there and fight like we did last night. I mean, you know what, you got 27 outs to make something happen.

Q. Speaking of last night, and Game 1, do you think for the most part the Phillies have been able to execute and make it tough on Atlanta hitters so far this series?

BRIAN SNITKER: Yeah. No, they've got a good plan, you can tell. And they have really good arms.

I mean, that's a really strong pitching staff. They got good starters. They got a deep bullpen. And you can tell that they've done their homework and they're executing their plan.

Q. Austin kind of downplayed his being there last night to back up that throw. He said he was just yelling one, one, one and his momentum carried him in the right spot. But do you think he was being a little modest?

BRIAN SNITKER: Yeah. You know what, that's a baseball play. That's a guy with great baseball instinct and seeing the game in front of him. And you know what, he probably didn't -- he just is doing that subconsciously, I'm sure.

Just the baseball player in him took him to that spot and able to make that play. Made a great throw, too. Like I said, it reminded me of that Carlos Correa play the other day that he made on the infield. It's just like the Derek Jeter moment years ago in the playoffs. And it's just one of those, I think, instinctual plays that a baseball player like Austin can make.

Q. That was another example of what you were talking about, how good he is defensively at third base, maybe overlooked a little bit defensively?

BRIAN SNITKER: Yeah. I think so. I mean, he's as good as there is in the game. You know, and I'm biased. I get to see him every day. And been through so much with that kid that obviously I'm going to toot that horn every chance I get because I believe in him.

Q. When you look back at the series in Philly last year, do you think the crowd made any impact on the Braves?

BRIAN SNITKER: Yeah. It's as nuts of place as I've ever been, that's for sure. Yeah, I think they can have -- I don't know that it's going to -- there may be a few guys that have not experienced that until they get there.

I'm sure these guys are talking about it. But I think for the most part, when you've been through what these guys have been through, you know what, it kind of jacks them up, too.

Q. Along those lines, there was seismologist claims that there were slight tremblings there last night right when that double play was made in Atlanta. Is that as loud as you've seen it there? There have been some loud moments.

BRIAN SNITKER: There have been some loud moments. I remember back when Hinske hit that homer in the playoffs, I think Bobby's last year. I thought the thing was going to collapse.

You know what, last night, I ended up showing plea negotiation for the first time all year, and I'm paying for it this morning. (Laughs). It was pretty crazy. I know my grandson got a little -- he told me, he said, grandpa, I was a little scared when that happened.

Q. What do you mean by showing emotions?

BRIAN SNITKER: Well, kind of jumping up. I got a bad shoulder. I think I pulled my hamstring, on Austin's homer and the last out being made.

Q. If you were to go in the direction of an opener, what would lead you in that direction?

BRIAN SNITKER: You know, potential lineups, things like that. Just who's available. You know, like I said, it's just ongoing discussion as to what we're going to do.

Q. After yesterday is everybody available?

BRIAN SNITKER: Oh, yeah. Everybody's available. It's good. Some of them guys are going to pitch every game in this playoff season.

Q. About A.J. Smith-Shawver, did how he did in the inter-squad game, is that part of your decision?

BRIAN SNITKER: That was really impressive. Yeah, absolutely.

Q. With the craziness of the ending yesterday, does it make it more difficult to kind of lock into a game or does it make it easier for the guys just with how kind of crazy and chaotic that ending was and how emotional it was?

BRIAN SNITKER: No. I don't think so. I think the biggest thing it does is we feel a lot better today boarding that airplane with the series being even. I think that's the biggest thing is that, you know what, we got a couple more games to play.