STAKES HIGHER THIS YEAR
Even without fans, series has more life with both teams in playoff hunt
Did veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel ever doubt he could be “the guy” again?
His answer: “Absolutely not.” Kimbrel, the Cubs’ $45 million man, hasn’t hidden from the fact he has struggled in the early part of this abbreviated season. He has been forthcoming about what he and the coaching staff have been trying to accomplish.
And now, after working to find his old form — which required manager David Ross to remove him from his role as closer — something has clicked for MLB’s active saves leader.
“Everything feels pretty under control,” Kimbrel said. “I can throw the ball where I want — somewhere close to where I want. And, I mean, when it happens, everything kind of falls into place.”
Over his last three appearances, Kimbrel has regained some semblance of his former self, most recently striking out the side and picking up his first save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Cardinals on Wednesday. He has now pitched three consecutive scoreless innings, striking out seven and walking just one over those outings. The seven strikeouts are his most in a three-game stretch since he joined the Cubs last season.
“He’s worked his tail off to get to this point, and credit to him for taking ownership,” Ross said. “A guy with his résumé and what he’s been through here, to continue to work now, have a good attitude and put in the work is a credit to him.
“For Craig, he wants to prove to everybody that he’s back and that he’s feeling good and where he wants to be. No matter what Craig was dealing with, he still wanted to be in the game in the highest-leverage moments just because he knows what the team needs and what he wants to do.”
The change in at-bats against Kimbrel has been noticeable. Hitters have looked uncomfortable against him, unlike the first few weeks of the season, when they seemed to know what was coming.
His fastball has shown life, getting late rise entering the strike zone, and is consistently hitting 98 mph on the gun.
The equalizer has been the return of his signature knuckle curveball, which he not only has been throwing for strikes but has been getting swings and misses on — eight times, in fact, over his last three appearances.
“I’ve been getting ahead a little bit,” he said. “When you get ahead, you get some swings on pitches out of the zone.”
The Cubs’ bullpen overall had its struggles early but has since stabilized. Right-hander Rowan Wick has been the interim closer, converting all four of his save opportunities. He has continued his success from 2019 and has a 1.13 ERA in eight appearances.
“Wick has been huge for us, for him to come in and eighth, ninth and close it out whenever asked, and getting as many outs as needed,” Kimbrel said. “And [Jeremy] Jeffress has been great. I mean, up and down, [those] guys have stepped up to the big spots and been able to fill that spot the last two weeks or so when I’ve been down and not throwing like I should.”
Things now appear to be looking up for Kimbrel. Ross has gone on record several times saying the Cubs will need him this season if they’re going to have success.
Kimbrel isn’t back in his role as closer just yet, but if things continue to trend upward, it should only be a matter of time.
“My last couple outings have been good,” he said. “But we can do a lot more than three scoreless [innings]. A lot more than that.”