Few things in baseball are as frustrating as a bullpen that can’t hold a lead. A shaky defense is infuriating, and constant strikeouts with no contact at the plate can drive fans mad. But nothing feels worse than watching a solid team crumble in the late innings because the bullpen simply isn’t reliable. Right now, I’m once again concerned about Raisel Iglesias.
For some reason, I haven’t felt comfortable with the Braves’ closer since Craig Kimbrel was dominating over a decade ago. Iglesias lacks the overpowering stuff that intimidates hitters in the ninth. So far this season, the 35-year-old is 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA across 15 outings. He’s recorded just six saves and blown at least two, averaging one home run allowed for every save he’s earned. Despite striking out more than a batter per inning and limiting walks, his ERA has nearly tripled compared to last year, and his ERA+ of 78 is the worst of his career. While Atlanta’s offense has improved lately, the team needs a closer they can count on—or they need to find a new one.
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This isn’t a World Series team at the moment, and with a bullpen like this, they might not even make the playoffs. Iglesias has to step up to keep his role. It’s telling that he’s only saved a third of the Braves’ wins so far. While I think saves are an overrated stat, the closer’s performance still shapes the team’s confidence and the fans’ mood. When your closer takes the mound, you should feel secure in a win.
As a former pitcher, I know the helplessness of watching someone else falter in your role. That’s how I felt watching Iglesias nearly blow it live at Chase Field during that extra-inning thriller against the Diamondbacks—I could see that home run coming. At 35, I relate to him more than I’d like to. Age brings wisdom, sure, but it also slows you down. He’s out there trying to blow fastballs past kids born in the 2000s, while I’m just trying to not pull a muscle putting on socks.
We all want to see Iglesias turn it around, but the Braves can’t let him be the reason this season falls apart.
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