Braves Baseball: A Heart-Pounding Habit

Apr 21, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (12) celebrates after tagging out St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) to end a game at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Alright now Atlanta, let’s address the topic of near heart attacks, because you definitely try hard to give us one. Also, I’d really like to avoid going back on blood pressure medicine. I’ve been doing just fine without it.

The Atlanta Braves have been a full-blown rollercoaster ride so far this season. Through 22 games, they’ve gone from up to down and back again, sometimes within a single game or inning. Take last night as the latest example. As they’ve done so often, the Braves opened the game trailing. It was only a two-run deficit, and they erased it quickly, but of course, they fell behind again. It felt like one of those nights where if Atlanta could just get into the Cardinals' bullpen, something might break their way.

And that’s exactly what happened.

Erick Fedde did everything he could to keep the Braves off balance at the plate, outside of the second inning. For most of the night, he succeeded. Then the bullpen just couldn't keep it together in the bottom of the eighth. After Verdugo struck out, Baseball Savant had the Cardinals’ win probability at 77 percent. Then, as Atlanta has done a few times already this season, the spark lit. The rally was sudden and powerful, five runs came across in a blink, flipping the game on its head and giving the Braves a 7-3 lead heading into the ninth. Easy finish, right?

Win Probability via baseballsavant.mlb.com

Not even close.

The Braves had to hold on for dear life in the final frame. The Cardinals came storming back with back-to-back doubles and a home run from Willson Contreras. Things got tense, fast. All the while, Brian Snitker stayed put in the dugout without flinching. One fan on our Facebook page summed it up pretty bluntly: “Snitker tried his best to give the game away. Never once did he get off his butt, especially when his supposed closer was giving up all those runs in the 9th.”

Now, I’m not here to stir the pot, but we’ve all seen the comments floating around Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and just about every Braves fan group out there. A lot of people feel like it’s time for Snitker to step aside. “The game has passed him by.” “We need new blood.” “What’s he even watching out there?” I get it. I’m not in his position and never will be. I don’t know what’s going through his mind, but last night, even as things got dicey, he stuck with his guy, and the Braves escaped with a 7-6 win.

As ESPN MLB Senior Writer David Schoenfield said not long ago, the Braves are still one of the most exciting teams in baseball to watch. I couldn’t agree more. They had me on edge again last night, and it’s not the first time, won’t be the last either. Keep the chaos coming, because it’s what makes this team so much fun to follow.

And for everyone who still says baseball is boring, you clearly aren’t watching. I’m a fan of sports in general, and I’ve sat through some slow, dragging football and basketball games too. Every sport has its duds, but baseball, when it’s good, gives you moments you just can’t script. You’ve got to give it a chance. There’s drama, strategy, and plenty of heart-pounding moments—just ask my blood pressure.