The Atlanta Braves bullpen and “pitch count” make me sad

When your starter gives up zero runs, you should not lose the baseball game. It’s that simple. Take your “pitch count” and throw it out the window because I don’t have time for your shenanigans around these parts. Hold my beer.

Listen, I know Tyler Flowers made a mistake at the plate when he decided to receive the ball behind the plate, instead of in front of the plate. But that’s not why the Atlanta Braves lost the ballgame.

The Braves lost their Opening Day contest against the Mets because of how Brian Snitker handled his pitching staff (and maybe also because they didn’t score any runs).

I like Brian Snitker. I think hiring Brian Snitker was a good move, and I was and still am a champion of it. I’ll explain why I think it was a good move like this.

When players get to this level, they don’t need a ton of managing in their head coach. They need a guy who lets them do what they do and gets out of their way. They need a guy who’s a good cheerleader and is likable and who knows how to set a lineup.

Snitker’s that guy. In fact, players seem to love him. Fredi Gonzalez was not that guy, nor could he manage.

While I liked the hiring of Snit, I was concerned at how he was going to manage pitching. And listen, I understand that the 2017 Opening Day bullpen for the Atlanta Braves is garbage, but Julio Teheran had no business being taken out of the game.

And I also understand that the same thing would probably have happened on any other team because it’s 2017 and me and like three other guys are the only ones clinging onto our pre-pitch count glory days. But I can’t let go.

Enslaved by the Count

I’m aware that Teheran threw 95 pitches and I understand that it’s literally the first game of a long season. But I’ve watched Brian Snitker enough to know that Brian Snitker would have done the exact same thing if it were July, and that gives me a borderline panic attack.

If your pitcher hasn’t given up any runs and its only the 6th inning, leave him in the baseball game. And if you’re now going to deem such a performance as a “quality start” then do me a favor and just make baseball games last 6 innings. That way, I can at least give my liver a rest and spare you all the pain of reading another one of these columns.

It was reported by Braves beat writer Mark Bowman after the game that Braves skipper Brian Snitker pulled Teheran and started Ian Krol in the 7th (who is a lefty) to keep Michael Conforto (who is a lefty) on the bench at which point I spilled my beer.

The same Michael Conforto who hit .220 last year and was sent down to AAA?  Please stop. Me and my liver literally cannot take it anymore and it’s only the first game of the season. If that was truly Brian Snitker’s rationale then he’s not thinking, he’s just doing what “the book” says.

So, Brian Snitker made one glaring mistake by taking out Julio Teheran after only six innings. But his second mistake was replacing him with the wrong pitcher.

Best Available Option?

Consider this. Since 2015  Arodys Vizcaino has had a 2.70 ERA versus LHP while Ian Krohl has posted a 4.09 ERA. My pal, Chris Jervis, from Outfield Fly Rule, put it best today when he said, “Don’t be a slave to match-up. Use the best option.”

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So, if you’re going to pull your starting pitcher after only six innings (even though he was pitching great and baseball games last 9 innings), why not replace him with your best relief pitcher?

The Braves’ bullpen isn’t the best out their, and it clearly needs improvement. But the guys in the bullpen are there for a reason, if we’re being completely honest. Other than a handful of closers, pitchers in the bullpen are there because they couldn’t cut it as a starter. Its the cold hard truth.

There’s a reason Josh Collmenter, who’s currently in the bullpen, told David O’Brien a few weeks ago that “starting is obviously the No. 1 goal.” So, taking out your best starting pitcher when he’s allowed zero runs to your division rival for a few guys who couldn’t cut it as a starter (like Chaz Roe) is terrible thinking.

Next: Blake Silvers also has some things to say about the Braves' bullpen

Is this JUST the first game and am I overreacting? Probably. Life’s no fun if you don’t overreact from time to time. But is Monday’s season opener, and even some instances last year, a bad sign on how Brian Snitker is going to manage pitching?

Yes it is.