Raisel Iglesias perfect in ninth versus White Sox

Iglesias allowed a leadoff single to Hunter Goodman to begin the frame, but would force T.J. Rumfield to ground into a double play in the next at-bat and got Willi Castro to line out to end the game. It was the 29th save of the season for Iglesias, who has converted on six of his seven save opportunities on the month.

Shohei Ohtani hit the triple to the wall in left. It would have been a homer in 28 ballparks, according to Statcast. In Atlanta, it could have been an out, but Lane Thomas had it go off his glove while attempting a jumping catch. It proved no problem for Iglesias. He struck out Freddie Freeman, got Mookie Betts to ground out and, after an intentional walk of Max Muncy, got Tommy Edman to fly out to center to end the game.

Pitching with a two-run lead, Iglesias walked Brice Turang to start the ninth and then gave up a long fly to William Contreras that Michael Harris II made a jumping catch on at the wall. According to Statcast, it would have been a homer in seven ballparks. After that, Iglesias got a comebacker from Jake Bauers that turned into a game-ending double play, even though he made a bad throw to second to start it off. It’s Iglesias’ 27th save of the season and No. 280 for his career.

Iglesias needed 21 pitches to complete the ninth. He hasn’t been nearly as sharp since the All-Star break. Overall, he’s had a bounce-back campaign, but there was a belief entering 2026 that Robert Suárez could push Iglesias for saves if he struggled. Suárez is sidelined, so Didier Fuentes could see additional save opportunities if the team makes a change. There are no signs of that happening just yet.

Two nights in a row the Braves entered the ninth inning with a four-run lead over the months and both times they turned to Iglesias. Sure, it’s better to be safe than sorry and they have an off-day tomorrow. Yet, this was now the third time in five outings where Iglesias has let at least one run score. He’s not even close to being in jeopardy of losing this job, but he may no longer be the best reliever in his own bullpen given Didier Fuentes’ emergence.

It was a non-save situation, but Iglesias still helps fantasy managers by lowering his ERA to 2.89. The right-hander has had some scuffles as of late, so seeing him take care of business is a nice confidence booster, as well, whether it was necessary or not.

Iglesias struck out two in a scoreless ninth, needing just 10 pitches. Didier Fuentes couldn’t hold a 1-0 lead in the eighth, but Atlanta still went to its closer in a tie game. The Braves went ahead in the tenth, and Tyler Kinley converted the save in the bottom half. Iglesias hadn’t been as sharp in his previous two outings, but he’s had a strong season overall. He remains the locked-in closer in a deep bullpen.

Iglesias took the mound in the bottom of the ninth inning with a 2-0 lead. After retiring the first batter he faced in the inning, Iglesias would allow an infield single to George Lombard Jr., with Lombard reaching third on a throwing error by Iglesias. Iglesias would strike out Ryan McMahon on the next at-bat, but a double to Austin Wells cut the Braves’ lead to 2-1, and Ben Rice would single to tie the game two batters later. Iglesias would be relieved by Dylan Dodd with the bases loaded, and Dodd would retire Luis Garcia Jr. to end the threat and force extras. Friday’s blown save marked Iglesias’ third blown save since July. He has now struggled in back-to-back outings, allowing four earned runs over the last 1 2/3 innings. Hopefully he can settle in and return to form his next time out.

It’s never fun to see your fantasy closer give up runs, and it’s even less fun when those runs come in a non-save situation. Iglesias was handed a four-run lead, and the pair of runs only hurt the ERA, which now sits at 2.63 on the season. It’s disappointing, but Iglesias has been far too good to be concerned about a poor outing like this one.

Iglesias started the inning by getting a pair of ground outs, then he made things a bit more interesting by issuing a two-out walk to James Wood. Not to worry though, as he battled back to retire Luis Garcia Jr. on a fly ball to right to end it. For the season, the 36-year-old righty now sports a 2.31 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 43/9 K/BB ratio across 39 innings while converting 23 of his first 25 save chances.