After the Braves' dramatic 5-4, 11-inning win in Game 2 of the NLDS, Billy Wagner's strained oblique muscle lingered as the lone sour note. The team may well have to survive the remainder of the postseason without their closer, Billy. From the AJC's Dave O'Brien:
Billy Wagner’s Injury Will Keep Him Out Of Braves’ NLDS, Potential NLCS
Wagner, who hasn’t wavered on plans to retire after the season, will not be eligible to pitch again this postseason unless the Braves advance to the World Series. And that’s only if he’s healed enough by then.
Remarkably enough, the 2010 season has probably been the best of Wagner’s career, as the 39-year-old has recorded 37 saves and a 1.43 ERA. One could even make the argument that he’s been the Braves’ MVP this season.
Our Braves blog, Talking Chop, speculates on who the Braves may use in the closer’s role from here forth:
Whoever is activated to replace Wagner, it will likely be rookie Craig Kimbrel ascending to the closer role. He seems to be the hot hand in the bullpen right now, but the Braves could also use another rookie, Jonny Venters, to close.
Talking Chop also notes the casualties suffered by this team -- we now add Wagner to a list of injured Braves that includes Chipper Jones, Jair Jurrjens, Martin Prado, and Kris Medlen. Each of these players is sorely missed.
The Braves’ mission, of course, is to find a way to the World Series and give Billy Wagner a chance to prolong his career, if only for a little longer.
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