Braves' Brian Snitker focused on series with Pirates, not future

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker still doesn't know what his role will be next season as the Braves begin their final series by hosting a three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

Both teams long have been out of the playoff picture.

Atlanta (75-84) saw its 10-game winning streak come to a halt with a 4-3 setback to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday.

Pittsburgh (69-90) mustered just three hits on Thursday and dropped a 2-1 decision to the Cincinnati Reds to halt its four-game winning streak.

The Pirates won two of the three games against Atlanta when the clubs met in Pittsburgh in May.

Snitker has managed the Braves since 2016, promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett to replace the fired Fredi Gonzalez. During his tenure, the Braves made the playoffs seven straight seasons (2018-24) and won six division titles and the 2021 World Series, when he was voted National League Manager of the Year. His career managerial record is 810-666.

Neither the Braves nor Snitker, who turns 70 on Oct. 17, have said whether he will return.

"I kind of put it out of my mind and am concentrating on today," Snitker said. "I'm not really committed to anything. I teeter, but you know what, I still have a passion for what I'm doing and I still haven't sat my family down and talked to them directly about it. I'm trying to stay in tomorrow's game."

Snitker joined the Braves' organization in 1980 as a roving minor league instructor. He managed throughout the minor league system, was the third-base coach for Bobby Cox with Atlanta from 2007-13 and named manager of the Triple-A Gwinnett team in 2014, where he helped develop many of the young players who are stars today.

As for Friday's game, Atlanta left-hander Joey Wentz (5-6, 5.46 ERA) is slated to get the start against Pittsburgh right-hander Mitch Keller (6-15, 4.22).

Wentz was picked up on waivers from Minnesota in August and has proven to be a reliable arm for the Braves. In 13 appearances (12 starts) with Atlanta, he is 3-5 with a 4.65 ERA. In his most recent outing against Detroit on Saturday, Wentz pitched five innings and allowed two runs with seven strikeouts. The Braves were 6-5 winners, but he didn't get a decision.

Wentz has made two career relief appearances versus Pittsburgh and has a 6.75 ERA after giving up three runs in four innings.

Keller will make his 32nd start of the season on Friday. He went five innings in his last start against the Athletics last Friday, a 4-3 loss, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk.

"Trying to finish as strong as I've started the past few years," Keller said.

In six career starts against the Braves, Keller is 1-3 with a 7.94 ERA. He beat Atlanta in 2024 when he allowed one hit over 6 2/3 innings in a 4-1 game.

--Field Level Media