The Atlanta Braves snapped a drought that broke a record dating back over 50 years on Monday night
The Atlanta Braves opened their series against the New York Mets with a narrow 3-2 victory on Monday night, and left-hander Dylan Lee notched a rare save—the team’s first in quite a while.
Before Monday, the Braves had gone 31 consecutive games without recording a save, setting a new franchise record dating back to 1969 when MLB began tracking the stat. The previous record was 25 straight games without a save between the end of the 1970 season and the start of 1971. The last time Atlanta secured a save was on May 16 in the series opener at Fenway Park against the Red Sox.
While the save stat doesn’t carry the same weight it once did, such a long drought reflects the Braves’ recent struggles. To earn a save, a team has to win—and the Braves dropped 14 of 17 games during a rough stretch. Additionally, save chances usually come in tight games, and Atlanta is just 11-19 in one-run contests this season. They’ve often relied on dominant wins, holding a 12-7 record in games decided by five or more runs.
Their lack of success in low-scoring affairs has also contributed to the lack of save chances. On top of that, the Braves have blown 17 leads this season, according to Baseball Reference. All these factors have led to Atlanta having the second-fewest save opportunities in the league, with just 11 saves total so far.
In response, the Braves have restructured their bullpen. Struggling closer Raisel Iglesias has taken on more eighth-inning work, where he’s been more effective. Dylan Lee, formerly used in the seventh, has stepped into the closer role and hasn’t allowed a run in any ninth-inning appearance this season—outside of one unearned ghost runner in extra innings.
Ending the save drought could signal positive momentum. The Braves have now won nine of their last 13 games, and managing to win a tight, low-scoring contest is an encouraging sign for a team trying to right the ship.
The Braves will be back in action Tuesday night. Another win would ensure at least a split in the series and put them in position to claim another series victory.
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