NEW YORK — Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker has made the public expression of optimism in his team one of the hallmarks of his tenure.
With the Braves winning the past six National League East Division titles and the 2021 World Series championship under his direction, that might not seem like much of a challenge.
Most of last month and the start of June weren’t so smooth for Atlanta, though, as a lineup that displayed record-setting power last year suddenly looked much different as it struggled to produce. Snitker stayed the same, however, and now the Braves look more and more like themselves.
Friday night only added to the evidence.
Ozzie Albies hit a two-run homer on Carlos Rodón’s second pitch of the game, Matt Olson and Austin Riley also went deep off the left-hander, and the Braves routed the suddenly struggling New York Yankees 8-1 to open a three-game interleague series.