Braves: For Better or Worse, Will Smith is the Closer
Things haven’t gone great for Will Smith as the Atlanta Braves closer in 2021, but for better or worse, it will likely remain that way.
If Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker hasn’t made a change at closer all year long, I highly doubt he will in the final week of the regular season.
In Snitker’s defense, as I’ve stated for a while now, the options out there aren’t great. But I don’t know how many times we have to watch the script in the 9th with Smith. He has 6 blown saves and 7 losses on the season.
I don’t think anyone feels comfortable when he comes into a game — and that probably includes Snitker.
Braves: The case for Will Smith to Remain the Closer
If you look at the advanced metrics, Will Smith probably should be the right guy for the job.
He has an xBA of just .195 and xERA of 3.36 with a WHIP of just 1.15. His K% (30.6) and his BB% (9.6) are both well below where he was when he dominated for the Giants in 2018-19.
Plus, Smith actually has been pretty solid in September. Over 10 innings he’s allowed just 2 earned runs on 4 hits and 5 walks with 14 strikeouts and 6 saves.
It just looks so bad because when he does give up a run, it’s usually a blown save. Part of that is because of all the close games the Braves play — he has no wiggle room when he comes in.
But in half of his outings in September he hasn’t given up a hit or a walk. He only did that four times combined between August and July.
Earlier in the year, he was much better with six such outings in June, four in May, and five in April.
I’m not saying I like it or even agree with it, but Will Smith will be the Braves closer the rest of 2021.
The time to make a change has likely passed, and as I stated, the other options aren’t exactly reliable either. Tyler Matzek probably deserves a look, but I also don’t want to mess with what he has working in the 7th and 8th innings right now.
Next. End of Season Scenarios. dark
Just do what I do whenever Will Smith enters the game — turn it off, go grab a carton of ice cream, and hope for the best. Either way, at least you get to eat ice cream.