Raisel

Iglesias

Iglesias didn’t allow a hit and struck out a batter while throwing 7-of-10 pitches for strikes. It puts the 36-year-old at 19 saves on the season, and his ERA dips to 2.23 on the campaign. The next time Iglesias pitches will likely be the All-Star game in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Iglesias is now tied for the seventh-most saves in MLB despite missing some time earlier this year. The veteran closer has held onto ninth-inning duties even though Atlanta has some of the best late-game reliever depth in the league. He has a 2.30 ERA with just a few games left before the All-Star break.

Iglesias gave up two singles before Juan Soto hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth, giving the Mets a 5-3 lead. The Braves came back in the bottom of the ninth, but they went on to lose in 10. The homer was the second allowed by Iglesias this year, and he allowed three runs for the first time since surrendering four against the Yankees last July 19. He’d converted 35 straight save chances (17 this year, 18 last season) since his previous blown opportunity.

The Mets made Iglesias sweat here. Singles by Luis Torrens, Juan Soto, and Bo Bichette put the tying runs on base with Francisco Lindor at the plate and two outs. He hit the ball sharply, but right at Ozzie Albies. Regardless of this rocky outing, Iglesias has been one of the league’s best closers with a 1.53 ERA on the season and zero blown saves.

Iglesias had to sweat this one out. Entering with a two run lead, a walk and a double put runners on second and third with just one out. Then, Brice Turang hit a single that looked like it was going to tie the game before Eli White cut down Jackson Chourio at home plate. He’s been a tad bit shakier recently without a clean inning yet in June, but is still statistically one of the best closers in the league with a 1.48 ERA, zero blown saves, and just one loss that came when he pitched in extra innings last week.

Iglesias was summoned in the ninth to close out Saturday’s contest with a two-run lead. Juan Soto just missed a home run to lead off the inning as his knock was ruled a double. Iglesias then struck out the next batter and induced a double play to end the game with his 14th save to go with a 1.16 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 27/5 K/BB ratio across 23 1/3 innings.

Iglesias looked like he was going to pick up a two-inning win after firing a scoreless ninth. That changed with one swing of the bat, as Braden Montgomery took Iglesias deep the opposite way to give Chicago the win. Only one of the runs was earned, and Iglesias still has an excellent 1.21 ERA on the season. A disappointing ending, but it’s hard to be too concerned considering how good the 36-year-old has looked for the overwhelming majority of the season.

The 36-year-old wonder continues to show no signs of slowing down with another save and scoreless appearance here. He’s only allowed two earned runs all season and they both came in the same appearance. So, 19 of 20 appearances without a run which has helped him to a gorgeous 0.87 ERA on the season along with 24 strikeouts and just four walks in 20 2/3 innings. Right now, he’s performing like one of the best closers in the league.

Iglesias has now been solid in each of his last three outings, allowing zero earned runs over that span while striking out three and lowering his ERA on the season to 0.92. He continues to be a viable option of the the bullpen when needed.

Iglesias’ save was his 11th of the year. After the Braves signed Robert Suarez this offseason, some fantasy managers were worried about Iglesias’ role. The 36-year-old right-hander has undeniably been one of the better closer picks at this point considering he’s 11-for-11 in save opportunities and has a 0.96 ERA.