Cuban Players News for the 2024 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources
Raisel Iglesias records his 34th save, securing the Braves' spot in the 2024 Postseason.
Monday was a challenging day for Raisel Iglesias, but it ended successfully. Despite giving up two runs and a blown save in the eighth inning of the first game of the doubleheader against the Mets, Iglesias faced just three batters, allowing a single, a sacrifice fly, and a two-run homer to Brandon Nimmo. However, he threw only 12 pitches, ensuring his readiness for the crucial Game 2. In the second game, with the Braves leading 3-0, Iglesias efficiently closed the game in the ninth inning with just 8 pitches - 7 of them strikes - notching his 34th save of the season, matching his personal best from 2021 and clinching Atlanta's postseason berth. Iglesias concluded the 2024 regular season with outstanding stats: a 1.95 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, and 68 strikeouts in 69.1 innings across 66 games with the Braves. As he aims to enhance his postseason performance in 2024, it's worth noting that he has a career postseason ERA of 6.75 with 8 strikeouts in 5.1 innings over 7 appearances, but he delivered a flawless performance in 2023 with the Braves, securing his only postseason save in 2.1 innings pitched. Tonight at 8:30 pm (ET), the Braves will take on the Padres in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series. It remains uncertain whether Iglesias will be use in the game if needed.
Daysbel Hernández secures crucial win for Braves.
Daysbel Hernández, primarily utilized as a bullpen arm and the 27th man on the Braves' roster this season, played a vital role in the team's path to the 2024 Postseason. In a pivotal game on Monday with the Braves leading 1-0 in the fifth inning, Hernández was brought in with two runners on base. He managed to strike out Tyrone Taylor and Harrison Bader, and force Luis Torrens into a ground out to end the inning, helping the Braves maintain their lead. Hernández returned in the sixth inning to record two more outs, earning his third win of the year as the Braves went on to defeat the Mets 3-0. Following his impressive performance in the 162nd game of the season, Daysbel concluded 2024 with a 2.50 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP, pitching 18.0 innings with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 26:10 and holding opponents to a mere .159 batting average. With three wins and a hold in 16 appearances, Hernández will be a key asset in the Braves' bullpen during the Wild Card Series against the Padres, commencing today.
José Iglesias' hitting streak reached 22 games.
José Iglesias helped the Mets secure a spot in the Wild Card Series on Monday by going 2-for-9 with a crucial RBI in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Braves. In Game 1 and in the top of the eighth inning with the Mets trailing 3-2, Iglesias singled to right field off fellow Cuban closer Raisel Iglesias, tying the game at four in a memorable 8th inning for the Mets. They went on to score six runs, taking a 6-3 lead, but the Braves reclaimed the lead with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Francisco Lindor then sealed the Mets' postseason berth with a two-run homer in the ninth. With a hit in each game, Iglesias concludes his 2024 season with a 22-game hitting streak and a .337 batting average. This hitting streak is the second longest by a Cuban player in the Majors, behind Rafael Palmeiro's streak of 24. Iglesias finishes the 2024 season with a slash line of .337/.381/.448, along with four home runs, 39 runs, 26 RBIs, and 6 stolen bases in 8 attempts. Iglesias will be making his second postseason appearance, the first being eleven years ago with Detroit. In his 11 games and 31 plate appearances, he has a batting line of .231/.286/.231, with two runs scored and one RBI.
Jorge Soler had a productive doubleheader's Game 2 with two doubles.
During an eventful doubleheader against the Mets on Monday, Jorge Soler went 2-for-6, delivering two crucial doubles in Game 2. His first double came in the second inning, leading to a run off Gio Urshela's single, giving the Braves a 1-0 advantage. In the sixth, Soler notched his 34th double of the season before being substituted by a pinch runner, concluding his 2024 regular season. The Braves triumphed over the Mets with a 3-0 score, securing their spot in the postseason. Following his standout performance on Monday, Jorge Soler concludes the regular season with a batting line of .241/.338/.442, consistent with his career line of .243/.331/.464. He tallied a total of 56 extra-base hits, including 34 doubles, one triple, and 21 home runs, while contributing 84 runs and 64 RBIs. This marks Soler's fifth postseason appearance in his career. He has previously played in two postseasons with the Cubs in 2015 and 2016, one with the Braves in 2021, and one with the Marlins last year. Soler has won two World Series championships, in 2016 and 2021, and in the latter, he was awarded the Most Valuable Player. Across four postseason appearances, he has achieved a .274/.391/.630 slash line with 6 home runs, 11 runs, and 11 RBIs in 28 games and 87 plate appearances.
