Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker made an innocent prediction last month. It has come back to bite him after the Braves’ early postseason exit.
The Braves were trounced from the NLDS in four games against the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday after a 3-1 defeat at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
A clip of Snitker talking to Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. from about a month ago went viral on social media shortly after Game 4 ended. In the video, Snitker told Acuna that he was finally going to play in the World Series this year.
Snitker was referencing the fact that Acuna was sidelined with an ACL injury when the Braves won the World Series in 2021.
Coincidentally, the viral moment came from a Sept. 13 matchup against the very Phillies who eliminated the Braves in the NLDS. Just like in Game 4, Spencer Strider was also the starter for Atlanta in that September contest. Acuna powered the Braves with three hits in the 4-1 regular-season win. Strider was similarly exceptional, allowing just one earned run across seven innings.
Acuna and Strider did not have the same success on Thursday night. Strider allowed three earned runs across seven innings, which was enough for the Phillies to clinch the series with a 3-1 win. Acuna was hitless in the contest. The Braves All-Star finished the series 2-of-14 with two walks and no home runs.
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