In a challenging outing for Atlanta Braves closer Raisel Iglesias, he surrendered a run off two hits and a walk during the ninth inning of Wednesday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Despite one strikeout, Iglesias’ performance contributed to the Braves’ 1-0 loss.
Brought in to secure the top of the ninth with his team trailing, Iglesias was unable to halt an insurance run from scoring. This proved crucial, as the Braves managed to score their only run in the bottom of the ninth. Recently, Iglesias has struggled significantly, allowing at least one run in seven of his last ten appearances, which has led to a troubling 7.71 ERA and a WHIP of 2.04 across 9.1 innings. During this stretch, he has also converted only two out of three save opportunities while posting a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 8:3.
Despite his ongoing challenges, there is currently no indication that Braves manager Brian Snitker plans to make a change to Iglesias’ role as the team’s closer. However, his strikeout rate has dropped to a career-low of 24.8%, and there are few signs suggesting a turnaround in his recent performances.
As the Braves look to improve their overall pitching strategy, there may still be potential for Iglesias to rebound and recapture his earlier form, which could bolster the team’s chances in upcoming games. Fans will be watching closely to see how the situation develops and if Iglesias can turn things around.