Perfection has been what has come out in the ninth recently for the Atlanta Braves to shut the door on opposing teams. That’s exactly what happened in the 3-2 victory on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Phillies, clinching a series win. With another dominant outing for Braves closer Raisel Iglesias, who made team history alongside his 28th save of the season. Iglesias has retired 35 consecutive batters, the first Braves pitcher to do so in the expansion era (1961-present). To put a little perspective on that, he has thrown a perfect game and then some in his last 11 innings of work.
Raisel Iglesias’ 35 consecutive batters retired is the longest streak by a Braves pitcher in the Expansion Era (1961)
last MLB pitcher with a streak of 35+: Yusmeiro Petit, 46 straight, 7/22-8/28/2014
h/t @EliasSports https://t.co/itu80fwNcD
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 23, 2024
Braves Closer Raisel Iglesias Historically Dominant of Late
Iglesias became just the third pitcher in AL/NL history to make at least 10 consecutive perfect appearances of at least one inning each. He’s the first to do so in more than 10 years. His season numbers also suggest how dominant of a season Iglesias is having, which has contributed to the #2 pitching staff in all of MLB, which has been carrying the team this season. The offense is usually how Atlanta has found success in the Alex Anthopoulos era, typically outslugging teams. However, going into the 2024 season with a lineup all but set, bolstering the rotation and bullpen this winter was an objective for Anthopoulos. His work has shown this season, and Raisel Iglesias has been a large part of the Braves’ equation to success this season.
Iglesias’s Dominant Season Numbers
Since being acquired from the Los Angeles Angels mid-season in 2022, Iglesias has been solid for Atlanta. He has maintained a 1.78 ERA with 62 saves and a WHIP of 0.904. However, 2024 has been his best season yet for the Braves. In 49 appearances this season, he has posted a 1.45 ERA with 28 saves. Iglesias has pitched 23 consecutive scoreless innings across 21 appearances. He’s allowed a single unearned run on four hits and one walk while striking out 29 in those appearances. His opponents’ slash line this season is .137/.184/.202 for an OPS of .387.
Pitching Will Be the Key to Braves’ Postseason Goals
The Braves are having a season to forget at the plate this season, which is unusual for Atlanta. After such a historic offensive season in 2023, 2024 has been a complete reversal. Despite the team’s offensive struggles, one thing has remained steady: the pitching. The Braves’ pitching staff has been among the top five all season and has carried the team. This level of pitching has not been seen since the days of the “Big Three” of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. The starting pitching of Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Max Fried, and Spencer Schwellenbach has been a significant factor in the team’s pitching success, and the bullpen has been equally impressive.
The pitching staff will need to carry the load in Atlanta, given the recent offensive challenges. With a second-best MLB team bullpen ERA of 3.27, the relief corps has recently inspired hope among Braves fans with their exceptional performances. Recent series wins against the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies serve as a reminder of the team’s potential for a memorable playoff run.
Raisel Iglesias will continue to be a crucial asset to the Braves bullpen. Manager Brian Snitker has indicated that the team will no longer rely on rest days and spot starts, placing increased importance on Iglesias’ role. Iglesias appears prepared for this challenge, as well as the rest of the pitching staff.
Photo Credit: © Jordan Godfree-USA TODAY Sports
