The bullpen was where the Cardinals best could attack Atlanta in the past but the Braves are better there than they used to be. Luke Jackson blew seven saves out of 25 opportunities before being replaced as closer. The Braves acquired Shane Greene from Detroit and Melancon from San Francisco at the July 31 trading deadline and planned to make American League All-Star Greene their closer. But he faltered and former Pirates star Melancon emerged to post 11 saves in 11 tries despite a 3.86 earned run average. The 34-year-old hadn’t closed in a couple of years until given the Braves’ job.
Hummel: 5 things for Cardinals fans to know about the Braves
