Atlanta Braves Closer: Manny Acosta

The day after being pulled against a lefty in the 9th inning, Acosta was back getting the save. The braves bullpen is unsettled, but Acosta has gotten the save opportunities when they have arisen. Unfortunately there haven't been enough over the past two weeks to give Acosta a large grouping of Saves to get him solidly in the role.

The Braves have four saves since Peter Moylan saved a game on Arpil 11 and hit the DL shortly thereafter with a bad elbow. Acosta has three of those four saves.

I expect him to retain the role until either Rafael Soriano or John Smoltz comes off the D.L. and to regain it when those two go back on the D.L.

New Closer For The Atlanta Braves

With closer Rafael Soriano on the DL, right-handed side-armer Peter Moylan took over the closer role. After one successful save opportunity, he was placed on the DL, too. The new closer is likely Manny Acosta.

I picked him up last week in hopes he would be closing. After Moylan got the 1st chance and converted it, I figured Acosta would just pitch in high leverage innings. However, I stayed away from Moylan at my NL-Only draft because I had same concerns about a reliever who threw 90 or so innings in 80 or so games last year.

Now, I look smarted than I did just a couple hours ago.