Braves Can't Trust Mark Melancon as the Postseason Closer After 2 Shaky Outings

The Braves escaped Game 2 of the NLDS with a victory against the Cardinals, but closer Mark Melancon's follow-up performance to Game 1's letdown doesn't exactly encourage the Atlanta faithful.

Following last night's loss, Melancon bore the blame by saying he gave the game away and that the loss "was on him". And even though his Game 2 performance wasn't as tragic as his previous one, it didn't set the world on fire either.

My only concern with using Mark Melancon here is primarily the 28 pitches he needed last night in a tough appearance. I know bouncing back is part of the closer's job, but Max Fried for another frame would have been a my preference. Can also confirm I am not the manager.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) October 4, 2019

Melancon allowed two hits and threw 14 strikes out of his 22 pitches. He got the job done, but maybe Max Fried may be the better option late in games this October.

During Game 2, Fried nabbed 10 strikes on 13 pitches, had the same amount of strikeouts as Melancon (two) and allowed only one hit.

I would go right back to Max Fried in the 9th inning. He's got the hot hand.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) October 4, 2019

While there are a few other options in the Braves' bullpen, relying solely on Melancon has already proven risky, and the fan base will be holding its collective breath every time he toes the rubber in the ninth.

There's no clear-cut closing option in the pen for Atlanta, as Shane Greene failed to mold into that role after making the All-Star team doing the same job for the Tigers.

Snitker may well continue to trod Melancon out there in the ninth, and if he does, the last inning of Braves games will be extremely nerve-wracking.