Braves' Tyler Kinley details why Atlanta has best bullpen, led by Robert Suarez, Raisel Iglesias
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Braves' Tyler Kinley details why Atlanta has best bullpen, led by Robert Suarez, Raisel Iglesias originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Braves are still the best team in baseball, even after losing their last two games. For the most part, Atlanta has had tremendous success in all aspects of the game.
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A major strength for Atlanta has been the bullpen, which is the complete opposite of last season. The Braves lead the entire MLB in ERA, fueled by some of the most dominant arms in the league.
“The relief corps possesses the best ERA in the league at 2.96. It’s the only sub-3.00 ERA. Many of the top relievers for ERA in the league are on the Braves staff: Robert Suarez (0.63), Raisel Iglesias (0.86), Dylan Lee (1.17) and Didier Fuentes (1.17). All four are in the top five in the statistical category, and the only non-Braves pitcher among them is Padres closer Mason Miller,” SI’s Harrison Smajovitts wrote.
Braves manager Walt Weiss has done a great job managing the bullpen, creating a strong formula for success.
“The Braves have leaned on different versions of that formula all year. Raisel Iglesias remains the closer. Robert Suarez has become one of manager Walt Weiss’ most trusted late-inning weapons. Lee continues to be the steady left-handed presence he has been for years. Fuentes has given Atlanta valuable flexibility, whether that means cleaning up traffic, covering length or handling leverage. And lately, the supporting cast has mattered just as much,” MLB.com’s Zach Sweet wrote.
In a recent appearance on Foul Territory, Braves reliever Tyler Kinley spoke about the bullpen when asked how Atlanta has found so much success. His answer was simple and defining.
“No egos,” Kinley said.
That mindset has become the foundation of a bullpen filled with elite arms. Iglesias and Suarez have formed a dominant one-two punch, with Suarez recently shifting into a setup role behind Iglesias. Last season, Suarez led the National League in saves, but he has fully embraced his new role this year.
Now, Iglesias handles the closer duties, while Suarez has accepted the setup job. Neither role is taken for granted—it’s all about winning. The Braves bullpen has become one of the most entertaining units in baseball, and their ability to celebrate each other’s success has been a major key to their dominance.
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