The 2025 MLB season has been one massive headache for Atlanta Braves fans, but fear not: there's only one month to go until it's finally over. September will begin this week, and unless they win every single remaining camp to make the playoffs, it'll likely be the last month of the Braves' current journey.
Even though the postseason is a pipe dream, September is still an important month in Atlanta. Players must use the final stretch to prove themselves to the Braves' coaching staff and front office if they want to stick around for the long haul. If not, they'll be looking for a new place to play this winter.
With that in mind, this struggling Braves relief pitcher must use September to get back on Atlanta's good side.
Braves LHP Dylan Lee Must Step Up in September
Veteran southpaw Dylan Lee is in the middle of his fifth MLB season, which has all been spent with the Braves. The Dinuba, CA native was one of manager Brian Snitker's most reliable bullpen arms from 2022 to 2024, going 10-3 with a 2.49 ERA and 159 strikeouts across 134 innings of work.
At first, everything seemed par for the course this season. The 31-year-old lefty's ERA sat at a respectable 2.20 through his first 42 outings, and he even picked up 43 Ks and nine holds that helped overshadow his three blown saves. Unfortunately, it's largely been downhill since then.
Lee has pitched to a 6.38 ERA in 21 games (18 1/3 innings) since July 10, having allowed seven homers and 13 earned runs on 24 hits. Although he's picked up five holds during that stretch, he's also blown another three saves, proving he can't be trusted in late-inning situations. Things have only worsened at the end of August, with his ERA sitting at 23.14 in his last four games as of Saturday afternoon.
The Braves' bullpen has been an inconsistent mess throughout the season, and Lee's woes encapsulate that fact. There's a good chance that Snitker & Co. will want to shake things up this winter, which could see Lee traded. The former Fresno State Bulldog has three arbitration years remaining, which Atlanta could dangle to a suitor looking to add a pitcher under team control.
At the end of the day, Braves fans know how good Lee can be when he's on his game, which is why it's crucial for him to turn things around. Atlanta is a better team when he's firing on all cylinders, and if he can't get back to that form in September, he doesn't deserve to be in the 2026 bullpen.