Braves' under the radar arm did what no other starter could for Atlanta in injury-riddled season

The Atlanta Braves are entering the final week of the regular season following what has been their worst campaign under manager Brian Snitker since he took over the role. With the team underperforming, there is growing speculation that this could be Snitker’s final season at the helm.

“Because of that consistent recent success, Snit would normally be afforded a ‘mulligan’ year — even though going from the second-best preseason World Series odds to possibly the third-best odds of winning the draft lottery is a pretty serious mulligan,” Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller wrote. “At 69, though, he's already the oldest manager in the National League by a several-year margin and was likely to retire at the end of this season, which is the last one in his current contract.”

If this is indeed the end for Snitker, many believe the blame shouldn’t fall on him — but rather on Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos.

“Brian Snitker is the last of the Braves’ worries, and his track record of success has earned him a lot of good grace with the organization. If he really has a desire to manage again in 2026, it’s hard to see a world where the Braves say, ‘Good riddance,’” wrote SportsTalk ATL’s Chase Irle. “If blame must be assigned, it’s hard to ignore the offseason decisions of general manager Alex Anthopoulos. Atlanta entered 2025 with glaring needs at shortstop, in the rotation, bullpen, and outfield — and none were adequately addressed.”

One of the few bright spots this season has been in the rotation, thanks to an unlikely contributor who hasn’t always received proper credit.

“The reality is that Elder, while having his own issues at times, prevented another can of worms from being cracked open. They needed the rotation arm and he was just that,” SI’s Harrison Smajovits wrote. “We already know someone is going to get hurt. The last two seasons make it impossible to anticipate anything else. So, the Braves would be wise to have him somewhere in the organization ready and waiting. He’s shown he can step up.”

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While Bryce Elder has been roughed up at times, he’s done something no other Braves starter has managed: make every scheduled start this season — a rare and valuable achievement in 2025.

Elder’s consistency and availability have made him an essential part of the staff. His recent outings have been particularly strong, and the Braves now know they have a dependable arm they can trust every five days.