3 Braves most to blame for untimely losing skid, Astros sweep

2. The Braves need A.J. Minter to be the shutdown bullpen arm and he’s failed

It’s been a tough go of it for the Braves bullpen from a health standpoint to begin the year. Tyler Matzek started the season on the IL, Raisel Iglesias joined him, and Colin McHugh is also out of action right now as well. And that’s put all the more pressure on A.J. Minter, who fans know can be dominant, to step up and be a lights-out performer, particularly in the closer role.

To put it mildly, Minter hasn’t been that over this losing streak as the reliever had a direct hand in two of the losses in Atlanta.

In the series-opener against Houston, Minter came in for the top of the ninth in a game that was tied 4-4. He then allowed Mauricio Dubón to get on base with a single before Yordan Alvarez tattooed a 405-foot home run to give the Astros the lead and the eventual win.

Two days later on Sunday, Minter entered in the eighth inning with two outs to try and get out of a bases-loaded jam. Instead, Alvarez got him again with a two-RBI single that tied the game up. Then, coming out for the ninth, Minter gave up a single and a walk before allowing another RBI single that gave Houston the lead. He was then pulled and credited with another two earned runs allowed with another two-RBI single that drove in the base runners he left.

The two appearances against Houston that resulted in a loss and a blown save for Minter have seen his ERA go from 2.00 to 5.73. While it’s not solely on him to be the anchor of the bullpen, the Braves need him to be a surer option than he’s been over this losing skid.