The bullpen isn't as bad as you think it is
Bullpens are to the MLB what cornerbacks are to the NFL. You can have a great series, but one blow up and the fanbase will turn on you and make it seem like it's the worst bullpen they've ever seen.
Statistically, the Braves have been one of the better bullpens in the MLB this season, though Joe Jiménez's rare blowup on Monday afternoon wasn't pleasant.
Joe Jimenez over 17 innings this season: 3 ER
— Gabe Burns (@GabeBurnsAJC) May 20, 2024
Joe Jimenez over 1 inning today: 4 ER
In the last 10 games, the Braves have the fifth-best bullpen ERA in the MLB at 3.02. They are ninth in the MLB on the entire season with a collective 3.44 ERA.
They were great in the 3-0 win during the nightcap on Monday. Atlanta's relief core looked great following a poor showing on Friday from Max Fried, which included a hitless inning from Jiménez, and they certainly weren't the problem in Sunday's 9-1 loss that witnessed Bryce Elder give up six runs over three innings, and subsequently being optioned back to Triple-A
Believe it or not, Jiménez has the highest fWAR of any Braves reliever this season at 0.4 with a 3.50 EA through 18 innings and a good 9.0 K/9. That's a great quality for a middle reliever to have as they are often tasked with getting teams out of sticky situations.
So has the bullpen been flawless? No, but it's been much better than most probably realize.