House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves: Mark Melancon has to be the choice at closer … for now

By Jake Mastroianni

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 26: Mark Melancon #41 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates after the game against the Texas Rangers at AT&T Park on August 26, 2018 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Texas Rangers 3-1. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms during Players Weekend. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 26: Mark Melancon #41 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates after the game against the Texas Rangers at AT&T Park on August 26, 2018 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Texas Rangers 3-1. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms during Players Weekend. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The closer role for the Atlanta Braves seems to be doomed in 2019 as they continue to search for a reliable force in the ninth.

Before the trade deadline, the one thing the Atlanta Braves had to have was a closer.

We thought they had that after trading for Shane Greene, but he blew his first save chance with the Braves and has given up 5 earned runs in 3.1 innings on 9 hits and a walk with 4 strikeouts.

I took a deeper look at Greene’s first two outings with the Atlanta Braves and as I said in that article, I’m not too worried about Greene.

But I also never thought he would be a shutdown closer and was never huge on the Braves trading for him. He will settle down and be a very good reliever for the Braves though.

The one great thing Alex Anthopoulos did at the trade deadline is that he brought in three relievers with closer experience.

Chris Martin has closer experience, but he’s struggled since being traded as well giving up 5 earned runs 3.1 innings.

Mark Melancon is the only one of the trade acquisition that has been reliable at this point, and that’s why it’s a smart move to put him into the closer role.

On top of that, he also has the most experience of the group and with that he probably has the nerves to close out games for a team in a pennant race.

And quite frankly, Melancon’s pitches have looked nasty since joining the Atlanta Braves.

This could also allow Greene to move into a setup role where maybe he can get some more time to settle in. I don’t think his days of closing are over for the Braves, but for now going with Melancon is the right move.

It seems like a panic reaction, but we are coming down the stretch and we don’t have time for players to figure things out at the big league level.

Next. Bounce back. dark

Melancon has looked great, he has experience as a closer, and that’s why moving him to the closer’s role is a great decision by the Brian Snitker and the Atlanta Braves.

Home/Braves News