The Braves have made it to the final month of the season, clinging to the final NL Wild Card spot. That's not where fans expected them to be when 2024 began but injuries have plagued them all year. Whit Merrifield was almost another casualty to the injury bug last night with a scary moment.
However, despite the struggles, Atlanta has found a way to stay in the playoff race and part of that is thanks to incredible performances from new faces. One of those new faces had a historic night for the Braves against the Rockies.
Chris Sale makes Braves history for left-handed pitchers
Chris Sale has been an incredible addition to the Atlanta Braves rotation in 2024. It was a risk to take on a pitcher with such a troubled injury history but Alex Anthopoulos made the right gamble.
After his impressive seven-inning performance last night where he struck out nine batters, Sale now has the most strikeouts in a season by a Braves lefty. He surpassed Tom Glavine who struck out 192 batters in 1991.
This was also his eighth season reaching 200+ strikeouts in a season which ties him with lefty Steve Carlton and five seasons behind his idol Randy Johnson who achieved that feat in 13 seasons.
Sale now leads all of baseball in ERA (2.46) and strikeouts (206) and is tied with Detroit rookie Tarik Skubal for the most wins (16) in MLB.
The Atlanta southpaw is destined for his first-ever Cy Young Award if he continues to perform the way he has. Not only that, he has the opportunity to win the Triple Crown for pitchers which has only happened 28 times. Sale currently leads all of the National League in wins, strikeouts, and ERA.
Braves starting pitchers have now allowed 3 runs or fewer in 22 straight games
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 4, 2024
that extends their longest single-season streak since the mound was moved to its current distance in 1893
h/t @EliasSports
Sale also helped the Atlanta rotation extend an impressive streak of allowing three runs or less through 22 straight games. Sarah Langs notes this is the longest single-season streak by a starting rotation since mound distance was adjusted in 1893.
The starting rotation has been so incredible despite the injury to Spencer Strider at the beginning of the season. Chris Sale is leading the charge and hopefully, he is rewarded for the incredible work he's done once the season concludes.
Raisel Iglesias wins NL Pitcher of the Month
Braves pitching has been stellar all around this season but closer Raisel Iglesias has been on another level for the Atlanta bullpen. August was one of the best performances of his career and he was awarded for that success.
Iglesias has been locked in every time he is on the mound. He's been efficient and you can tell he knows he is pitching better than he ever has. Raisel was 3-0 in the month with six saves and didn't allow a run through 13.1 innings pitched. He did not allow a walk and struck out 14 batters.
Your NL Reliever of the Month for August: Raisel Iglesias!#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/WcUC13qkER
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 3, 2024
He has been arguably the best closer in baseball all season as indicated by his 1.26 ERA with 29 saves through 57 innings in 2024. He sits just behind Cleveland's Emmanuel Clase for the best ERA in baseball. Clase has a 0.70 ERA through 64.1 innings for the Guardians.
Iglesias has been one of the best trades that AA made during his tenure in Atlanta and it's safe to say he will be sticking around in 2025.
Huascar Ynoa begins rehab assignment
Ynoa started trying to work his way back earlier this season but elbow inflammation shut him down for a while. However, the former promising Braves prospect began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday night.
It didn't go well for Ynoa as he allowed five runs on two hits through just one-third of an inning. He also issued three walks during the outing as well. He is a long way from the pitcher he used to be but hopefully, he will be able to regain some of that success with time.