3 reasons Atlanta Braves are a scarier playoff matchup than the Mets
By Jake Oliver
2. The Atlanta Braves have a superior bullpen compared to the New York Mets
The Braves have a far superior bullpen compared to the Mets. While the Mets have the better closer in Edwin Diaz — who has a 1.46 ERA with 28 saves and 97 strikeouts in 49.1 innings — the rest of the Mets bullpen doesn’t compare to the Braves. Let’s take a look at the stats. Since the Mets have had so many injuries in their bullpen (and to include their deadline acquisitions), take a look at the players who have thrown in 10+ games: Edwin Diaz, Adam Ottavino, Seth Lugo, Trevor Williams, Joely Rodriguez, Drew Smith (15-day IL), Trevor May, Tommy Hunter (15-day IL), and Mychal Givens. Those nine pitchers have combined for 334.1 innings out of the bullpen. They’ve allowed 124 earned runs, 395 strikeouts, 107 walks, 42 home runs, and have a 3.53 FIP and 3.34 ERA.
Good numbers, but not elite by any means.
In the playoffs, bullpens can often win you a series or a World Series as evidenced by recent champions like the Braves, Dodgers, Royals, and more. Over on the Braves side, they’ve had a healthy pen all year. The night shift, at least in part, is made up of Kenley Jansen, Collin McHugh, AJ Minter, Dylan Lee, Jackson Stephens, Tyler Matzek, Darren O’Day, Raisel Iglesias, and Kirby Yates. Those nine names have combined for 296 innings and given up 91 earned runs, 91 walks, 24 home runs, 348 strikeouts, and a 3.01 ERA/2.92 FIP. Oh, and they have contributed 5.6 WAR compared to the Mets’ 6.4 WAR.
Nearly every stat favors the Braves, and they have a secret weapon in Spencer Strider. Assuming the Braves protect his innings count and put him in the bullpen come playoffs, the Braves are adding an elite strikeout pitcher who has pinpoint control and throws 100 MPH.
Strider has 151 strikeouts over his 100.2 innings with a 2.06 FIP, 2.95 ERA, and has even finished 3 games. The Mets have no one that can match that out of their rotation.