Had Ben Franklin lived in the 1990s, he might have added a third section to his famous phrase: “The only certainties in this world are death, taxes and the Braves winning their division.”
From 1991-2005, Atlanta won 14 consecutive division titles and the constant during that extended run of success was great starting pitching, led by 200-game winners Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz.
The Braves haven’t won an NL East crown since ’05, but this year they lead their division by the widest margin of any team (6.5 games ahead of second-place Philadelphia in the East). Like those successful Braves teams of the ‘90s and early 2000s, Atlanta has relied on pitching to support an offense that has been disappointingly average.
However, unlike past Atlanta winners, it has been the relief pitching, not the starting rotation, that has led the charge from the mound. The starters have been solid, posting a collective 3.68 ERA (good for sixth in MLB), but the Braves’ bullpen has been spectacular. They lead the league in bullpen ERA at 2.66 and rank third in opponent batting average at .216.
Even better for fantasy owners, the relievers in Atlanta, outside of All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel, are mostly unheralded and available in the vast majority of leagues.
The best of the bunch has been middle reliever Luis Avilan. Avilan has not allowed an earned run since May 21, a streak that spans 23 consecutive appearances. Over that time, the lefty has lowered his ERA to 1.38 and dropped his WHIP to a stellar 0.92.
Avilan doesn’t miss many bats — he has struck out just 20 in 39 innings of work — but is currently fifth in the NL with 15 holds and figures to get more chances as the Braves keep winning. He is owned in less than one percent of ESPN leagues, so he is available to bolster any fantasy bullpen.
Just as dominant as Avilan has been Jordan Walden. Walden has held down the eighth inning since Johnny Venters and Eric O’Flaherty were lost for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The 25-year old right-hander has allowed only eight earned runs all season, five of which came during a three-outing stretch in mid-May. Since then, Walden has allowed just one earned run in 19 appearances, lowering his ERA from 4.85 to 2.32.
Unlike Avilan, Walden is a strikeout pitcher. He has 36 punch outs in just 31 innings pitched. His 4.0 K/BB ratio shows that he has command of his pitches as well. He is also available in over 99 percent of ESPN leagues, and will step into the closer role if Kimbrel is hurt.
Along with Kimbrel, Avilan and Walden, the Braves have formed a formidable trio. All three are dominant and all three are 25 years old or younger. They seem poised to dominate the end of games as Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz used to dominate the beginning. It could be the beginning of another golden era for Braves pitching.
Dylan Sinn is a freelance contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSinn or subscribe at Facebook.com/CraveOnlineSports.
Photo Credit: Getty
