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Atlanta Braves: Who belongs in the bullpen, and who needs to be replaced

By Jake Mastroianni

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 08: Manager Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves relieves pitcher Chad Sobotka #61 during the seventh inning of Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 08: Manager Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves relieves pitcher Chad Sobotka #61 during the seventh inning of Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 14: A.J.  Minter #33 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the New York Mets during the game at SunTrust Park on April 14, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 14: A.J.  Minter #33 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the New York Mets during the game at SunTrust Park on April 14, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) /

There is no denying that the number one weakness for the Atlanta Braves is its bullpen. Here is who is safe, and who needs to go.

I always feel uncomfortable talking about the careers of others, but it’s different in sports. The Atlanta Braves obviously have some issues in the bullpen, and there are several players who just need to go.

Yes, we are only 15 games into the season, but we knew these were issues going into the offseason and nothing was done to fix them.

Looking at the stats, the Atlanta Braves have one of the worst bullpens in all of baseball. And a huge part of it has to do with the walks.

A lot of our pitchers have great stuff, and I think that is why Brian Snitker and the front office believes this group of guys can get it done.

But if our pitchers can’t control their stuff, then what good does it actually do?

I know they likely need more time and seasoning to figure it out, but it’s costing us games. And if we want to contend for the NL East again and make the playoffs, we can’t be giving these games away.

The bullpen is directly responsible for three of our seven losses. But there are also several games that were close when it was handed over to the bullpen, and they put it out of reach.

If we had a good bullpen to keep us in those games, it’s likely we have at least another win or two at this point.

Things need to change, but first we need to determine who goes and who stays.

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