Craig Kimbrel’s beard has returned and with it, the electric stuff that has turned the veteran right-hander into one of the best closers in MLB history.
The struggles that affected him last season carried into summer camp and the shortened regular season. But for over a month, Kimbrel has been the guy the Cubs thought they were getting when they signed him to a three-year, $45 million deal last July.
Manager David Ross has been consistent in his backing of MLB’s active leader in saves, saying the Cubs would need Kimbrel if the team hopes to have success. And with the postseason spotlight getting ready to shine bright, the revitalized Kimbrel is going to get his shot to have the last laugh.
“I’m in a very comfortable spot,” Kimbrel said. “Physically, I feel pretty good. Mentally, I feel great and just really just want the ball and want to go out there and pitch and help the team win.”
Kimbrel’s bounceback over the second half of the season was not just good, it was flat out impressive. The 32-year-old right-hander lost his job as Cubs’ closer and had to build from the ground up starting with low-leverage spots in early August to earning the trust of his manager again and returning to pitching in high-leverage spots.
After starting the season allowing an earned run in four consecutive appearances, things have changed dramatically. In 14 appearances since Aug. 14, Kimbrel has allowed just two runs on four hits with seven walks, 27 strikeouts, a sparkling 1.42 ERA and .098 batting average against.
Kimbrel’s success can be tied to not only better mechanics, but more effective weapons, particularly his fastball. In his most recent appearance against the White Sox on Saturday, Kimbrel’s fastball averaged 99 mph and has been able to consistently throw his knuckle-curve for strikes. The electric combination has produced results circa-2012 for the longtime closer.
“Kudos to Craig for working through that and the run he’s been on has been outstanding,” president Theo Epstein said. “Not easy to work through those issues midseason as a guy who’s not used to struggling and is used to having like one role and doing it at an elite level. He’s been flexible this year and he’s really found himself.
“The arc of his season is putting him in a really good place to, I think, be a dominant guy in October.”
Kimbrel has been asked to do more with the injury to high-leverage arm Rowan Wick, who served as the interim closer until Jeremy Jeffress took over in August. With Wick down and more right-handed opportunities available, Kimbrel is going to get a shot to do his thing.
“The last stretch of the year into the postseason, it’s kind of the time when, not just one individual guy, but everyone kind of needs to step up,” he said. “And when they get an opportunity in a big spot to take advantage of it and respond.”
There’s been a lot of criticism of Kimbrel in his short time in Chicago as he’s gone through various struggles, but when asked if performing well on the big stage would be a nice response to the critics, Kimbrel wanted to wait to do his talking on the mound.
“Well, I hope I get my opportunity. That’s all I can say.”
