The Series Cynic: Braves can’t handle closing time
Could Atlanta closer Billy Wagner be suffering from a split personality?
The Braves (64-47) managed to take three out of four from the visiting San Francisco Giants (63-49) over the weekend and in doing so, improved their league-best home record to 39-15.
However, another mundane performance from Atlanta closer Billy Wagner prevented the Braves from the four-game sweep and a more comfortable three-game division lead.
Wagner hasn’t been quite as dominant of late as he has blown three of his previous eight save opportunities following his “effort” in game two of the Giants series—a hit batsman on the first pitch of the ninth inning followed by a couple of fielding errors—which led to his sixth blown save of the 2010 season.
And don’t forget about the ultimate game-winning home run Wagner allowed to former Braves heartthrob Jeff Francoeur during a tie ballgame against the Mets last week, which didn’t count as a blown save but definitely raised some eyebrows.