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Atlanta Braves: One month from possibly signing Craig Kimbrel – still needed?

By Jake Mastroianni

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 17: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Atlanta Braves leaves the bullpen to pitch in the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on September 17, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 17: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Atlanta Braves leaves the bullpen to pitch in the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on September 17, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Is Kimbrel still needed?

Coming into Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Atlanta Braves bullpen ranked 12th in the league with a bullpen ERA of 4.22.

They still lead the league in walks issued, but that has gotten much better lately.

Since April 28 — when Luke Jackson recorded his first save — the Braves bullpen has an ERA of 2.51 (8ER in 28.2 IP) on 25 hits, 11 walks, and with 34 strikeouts.

And those numbers are even better when you take out that outing from Shane Carle when he gave up 5 earned runs to the San Diego Padres in a blowout loss.

Jackson, Josh Tomlin, and Dan Winkler have been solid at the back of the bullpen. Jerry Blevins and Grant Dayton have been great additions as lefty specialists.

And A.J. Minter has been lights out in his last two appearances since being taken out of the closer’s role.

Maybe the Atlanta Braves have finally figured out the right combination in the bullpen with these guys.?

While it has been nice to see the recent success of the bullpen, I’m not ready to say that I feel comfortable with the guys we have in a pennant race.

If Luke Jackson comes out to save a playoff game are you going to feel confident?

I still think the Atlanta Braves need to eighter sign Kimbrel or trade for a proven closer if they have hopes of making a run in the postseason this year.

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