The Atlanta Braves have hit a notable low in 2025, setting a franchise-worst stretch without a save—31 straight games, drawing national headlines. At 35-41 and 11 games behind in the NL East, Atlanta’s struggles to close games have become a glaring concern.
The chief culprit: veteran reliever Raisel Iglesias, whose performance has plummeted. His ERA has ballooned to 5.93, he’s surrendered seven home runs in just 27.1 innings, and has blown 4 of 10 save opportunities, a stark fall from his dominant 34-save, 1.95 ERA campaign in 2024. As a result, once-winnable games are slipping out of reach.
As The Athletic’s David O’Brien pointed out on X, “The #Braves have gone a franchise‑record 31 consecutive games without a save. Since saves became an official stat in 1969, their previous longest drought was 25 games (1970–71).”
In response, the Braves briefly brought back Craig Kimbrel, only to DFA him, while left-hander Dylan Lee has quietly emerged, posting a 1.84 ERA over 34.1 innings. Yet despite his strong showing, Lee hasn’t been trusted in save situations due to matchup concerns and a continuing lack of late-game chances.
Another bullpen option, Pierce Johnson, has been inconsistent, with his WHIP skyrocketing to 1.68 and a 5.40 ERA over the past two weeks. The drought underscores a broader problem: a team-wide inability to seal victories.
With contention slipping from view, the Braves’ front office must make a move—whether through a trade or internal shuffle, their current closer situation is untenable. As the summer schedule heats up, ending this record save drought isn’t just a morale booster—it’s essential for survival in a crowded NL East.
Leave a Reply