Anytime former Atlanta Braves closer Raisel Iglesias has taken the mound this season, the frustration among the fan base has grown. It is impossible to believe any other reliever on Atlanta's roster would be given the grace of the closer. Last year's dominance aside, the numbers have been horrific, and opposing offenses have squared Iglesias up no matter the situation. This led to the team's decision to demote the veteran into an undefined role and piece together the final inning.
This set up Iglesias for a Monday night appearance in the 8th inning after Chris Sale had run out of gas. For the first time in the last two months, Iglesias appeared in complete control. The veteran retired every batter he faced, mowing down each hitter with the ease that came to define the closer's 2024 season. While it is far from erasing the myriad of failures, it did provide just a glimmer of hope that perhaps the veteran is turning things around.
Braves' Reliever Raisel Iglesias Must Turn a Corner if Atlanta has Any Hope of Turning Its 2025 Season Around
Atlanta sits nine games under .500 and far out of any serious postseason conversation. It appears the season is already lost, and the team's lack of spending and ability to retain star players is finally taking a toll. However, if there is any path to this team getting hot and returning to contention, it includes Iglesias turning things around.
The Braves' bullpen simply lacks the talent to be anything close to capable if the veteran isn't reliable. Perhaps this explains a piece of why the franchise has remained so patient with a failing player. However, this doesn't excuse the continual decision to go to Iglesias with a game on the line, understanding the closer wouldn't get the job done.
Regardless, Atlanta's slim hopes of contention are reliant on Iglesias turning things around and the offense continuing to click as it did in Monday's win. If these two things can happen and Jurickson Profar can thrive in Atlanta's lineup, there is a bit of hope left in a 2025 season that is unquestionably circling the drain.
For Iglesias, it is possible that the closer simply needed to be put into a lower leverage role to build back his confidence. If this is the case, it does beg the question of why the team didn't make the move sooner, no matter the lack of clear options. Iglesias needed a reset, and the franchise waited far too long to offer this. Now, the Braves can only hope the move sparks meaningful change for a player who has already cost the franchise far too much this season.