Did Craig Kimbrel ever doubt he could be “the guy” again?
His answer is simple, “Absolutely not.”
Kimbrel hasn’t hid from the fact that he’s struggled to start the 2020 season. The Cubs’ $45 million man has been forthcoming during the early going about what him and the coaching staff have been trying to accomplish.
But after working during the first month of the season to find his old form, which even required him to be removed from his role as closer by manager David Ross, 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.”
Kimbrel has regained some semblance of his former self over his last three appearances, most recently striking out the side and picking up his first save of the season in the Cubs’ 4-2 win over the Cardinals on Wednesday.
The veteran right-hander has now tossed three consecutive scoreless innings, striking out seven and walking just one in those outings. The seven strikeouts are the 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 resume 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 have been noticeable as opposing hitters have looked uncomfortable against him, unlike the first few weeks of the season where hitters looked like they knew what was coming.
Kimbrel’s fastball has shown life and has gotten 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 that he’s not only been throwing for strikes, but getting swings and misses on. Kimbrel has gotten eight swings-and-misses over his last three appearances.
“I’ve been getting ahead a little bit,” Kimbrel said. “When you get ahead, you get some swings on pitches out of zone.
The Cubs bullpen also had its own struggles early, but has also stabilized. Right-hander Rowan Wick has been the team’s interim closer and has converted all four of his save opportunities. Wick has continued his success from 2019 and has a 1.13 ERA in eight appearances this season.
“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 and Jeffress has been great. I mean, up and down and you 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. Those guys have done a good job.”
Things appear to be looking up for Kimbrel and Ross has gone on record several times saying that the Cubs would need Kimbrel if the team would have success.
Kimbrel isn’t back in his role as the team’s 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.”
