There are some elite bullpens remaining in the postseason, but even after the injury to Tyler Matzek, I would put the Braves up there with anybody. If they have a lead past the fourth inning during the playoffs, it’s going to be very difficult for anybody to come back. But don’t just listen to my biased opinion, here’s what Marlins second baseman Jazz Chisholm had to say about the Braves’ relief core.
Around the 7:00-minute mark in the video, Mark DeRosa and Chisholm break down the new “night shift,” if you will.
Luke Jackson and Tyler Matzek may be done for the season with Tommy John surgeries, and Will Smith may now be a member of the Houston Astros, but the Braves have done a helluva job replacing them with guys who have been even better.
A.J. Minter is having a career year and was among the most valuable relievers in baseball this season. Raisel Iglesias has only given up one run since joining the Braves following the trade deadline. And Kenley Jansen has begun to look like the Kenley Jansen of old lately. He hasn’t given up a run in eight straight appearances and has allowed just one hit over that span.
But that’s just the backend. Collin McHugh has been one of the better middle relievers in the league for a few years, and he’s put together another solid season this year. Jesse Chavez turns into Mariano Rivera every time he puts on a Braves uniform, and Dylan Lee has also been spectacular.
The Braves’ bullpen is their biggest advantage over the Phillies in the NLDS. As long as they can keep things tight going into the later innings, they have a great chance of reaching the NLCS for the third consecutive season.
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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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