In 1990, Braves relievers recorded a 5.01 ERA and 1.641 WHIP. Opposing hitters batted .290 against them and got on base at a .370 clip. That year nine Braves relievers recorded saves — Joe Boever, Kent Mercker, Joe Hesketh, Mark Grant, Charlie Kerfeld, Mike Stanton, Jeff Parrett, Rick Luecken, Tony Castillo — but none had more than eight. They blew 22 of 52 save opportunities.
No Braves bullpen has comparable, until now. Since the All-Star break, Atlanta relievers have posted a 5.45 ERA and 1.551 WHIP. Opposing hitters are batting .284 with a .801 OPS. In August, the bullpen’s ERA was an unsightly 6.