Atlanta Braves Bullpen

How the Bullpen Lines Up

Raisel Iglesias is still the closer. He saved 34 games in 37 chances with a 2.55 ERA, and he's the one arm out there who has seen just about every late-inning situation. In front of him, Didier Fuentes, Robert Suarez and Dylan Lee take the high-leverage outs. Fuentes struck out 92 in 73⅓ innings, Suarez posted a 1.06 ERA, and Lee led the staff with 71 appearances and 31 holds. How Weiss orders those four can change from game to game: if the Phillies' best hitters come up in the seventh, that's where the best reliever goes.

Victor Mederos and Dylan Dodd are the bridge. If Chris Sale or Tyler Mahle has a short outing, they're the ones asked to get the game to the back end without spending the core four too early. Dodd had a 2.54 ERA and didn't blow a save all year.

Brent Suter and Ray Kerr, both left-handed, cover length. With AJ Smith-Shawver left off the roster, they're the first call if a game gets out of hand either way, and both are candidates to open Game 3 ahead of Grant Holmes. Read the full postseason bullpen breakdown and the choices behind the 26-man roster.

How It Got Here

The Braves opened 2026 with a rotation already short on arms, with Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep hurt and Spencer Strider on the injured list, and the bullpen spent much of the season covering for it. Seven relievers made at least 30 appearances, and roles moved around for months, especially after Suarez went on the injured list with right elbow inflammation in late June. He didn't pitch again until September 23, and his return in the final week is what gave the group its late-season shape. Aaron Bummer (7.63 ERA in 19 games) and Tyler Kinley (4.01 in 49) both saw regular work but didn't make the postseason roster.

Set your own late-inning plan in the starting lineup game, where you pick a Game 1 starter and a closer, or see the Braves pitching rotation.