Is Kimbrel Shook?

[Bellhorn04]

I do recall that it didn't work. But I still think any kind of CLOSER idea has a way of feeding on itself. If you need a CLOSER that means that the 9th inning is loaded with Danger and therefore calls for heroics. This is now part of all our psyches. And it makes all other relievers look in awe at the 9th.

 

I mean the 9th might be a hard inning or it might be the easiest inning... if you're facing the 6-8 batters, do you need a heroic, overpaid pitcher for that??

 

Anyway right now, things are starting to be shaken up by teams like Tampa Bay and Milwaukee. So maybe we can de-mystify the 9th to a degree.

 

I don't think you can 'de-mystify' the 9th. Pitching the 9th with a 1-run or even a 2-run lead is always going to be stressful.

 

Certainly a lot has been said, and even a little has been done, about using the best reliever in the truly critical situation, which can often occur before the 9th.

[notin]

I don't think you can 'de-mystify' the 9th. Pitching the 9th with a 1-run or even a 2-run lead is always going to be stressful.

.

 

Depends. Is it stressful against the 7-8-9 hitters?

[Bellhorn04]

Depends. Is it stressful against the 7-8-9 hitters?

 

Not as stressful, I would presume. But there's always the possibility of pinch hitters. And one guy reaches base and you're back to the top of the order. And they're still major league hitters and randomness and yada yada yada...

[fxkatt]

I don't think you can 'de-mystify' the 9th. Pitching the 9th with a 1-run or even a 2-run lead is always going to be stressful.

 

Certainly a lot has been said, and even a little has been done, about using the best reliever in the truly critical situation, which can often occur before the 9th.

 

I don't disagree, but during the season, I think some of this emphasis on the 9th can be taken off. Why does it make me feel miserable when I see Barnes or Brasier come in and dispense with 3 guys with 8 pitches, and look so comfortable and in synch in doing so, and then see them vanish for the night. But again, I do know that it's also a matter of getting pitchers work.

 

Maybe I could do better with my choke up the damn bat argument. (ha ha)

[Bellhorn04]

I don't disagree, but during the season, I think some of this emphasis on the 9th can be taken off. Why does it make me feel miserable when I see Barnes or Brasier come in and dispense with 3 guys with 8 pitches, and look so comfortable and in synch in doing so, and then see them vanish for the night. But again, I do know that it's also a matter of getting pitchers work.

 

Also, if Barnes or Brasier could do this routinely, they would be the closer. Quite possibly one of them will be next year.

[mvp 78]

Also, if Barnes or Brasier could do this routinely, they would be the closer. Quite possibly one of them will be next year.

 

Probably Barnes.

[Kimmi]

just keep putting up 8+ runs and we wont have to worry so much about our leprechaun....

 

Exactly.

[Kimmi]

I do recall that it didn't work. But I still think any kind of CLOSER idea has a way of feeding on itself. If you need a CLOSER that means that the 9th inning is loaded with Danger and therefore calls for heroics. This is now part of all our psyches. And it makes all other relievers look in awe at the 9th.

 

I mean the 9th might be a hard inning or it might be the easiest inning... if you're facing the 6-8 batters, do you need a heroic, overpaid pitcher for that??

 

Anyway right now, things are starting to be shaken up by teams like Tampa Bay and Milwaukee. So maybe we can de-mystify the 9th to a degree.

 

I, along with many others, have always felt like your 'closer' should come into the later innings whenever the game really needs saving. If that's in the 7th inning, then so be it. Make it through the high leverage 7th inning, then worry about the 8th and 9th innings when you get there.

 

There's no point in saving your best reliever for a 9th inning save that may never come.

[Larry Cook]

If kimbrel is pitching tonight, then hopefully we have a two run lead in the 9th.

[vegasbob]

The argument that the game can be lost in the 7th/8th , prior to the Cler's appearance, is a strong one, but often you won't know it's major trouble until that pitcher has got 2 or 3 on and runs scored, so your best reliever, the Closer, might be late to the fire. The 9th is probably given so much significance and begot the Closer because if you get those 3 outs, it's over and no more chances.

[YastrzemskI]

I’m completely comfortable with Kimbrel coming in with a five run cushion.. anything less than that is a nail biter. Another poor outing from our closer tonight. The guy has no guts in big games it seems. The Red Sox won despite him tonight. 3-1 lead in the ALCS feels darn good though!

[Jason33]

That’s pathetic when you’re closer has to have a five run lead for you to feel comfortable for him to pitch. He used to be a lock down closer but again that was in Atlanta in San Diego. When he came to Boston he said this is exactly what he wanted and boy did he get a dose of it last couple games he’s pitched. He hasn’t done remotely close to good in any of the games. He keeps pitching like that one of these games they’re going to get him and it’s going to cost us. I think he should be just shut down for the playoffs.

[YastrzemskI]

He allowed 6 base runners in two innings of “work” last night. His command is trash and to make things worse, he was looking to the dugout a few times in the 9th almost as if to say.. “Get me the f*** out of here!” He’s putting Cora in a tough spot right now.

[Yaz Fan Since 67]

Such a strange situation, never would I have imagined our set up men would be money and Craig Kimbrel will be the huge question mark. Can a team win a World Series with a closer who gives up runs ever time out?

[moonslav59]

Such a strange situation' date=' never would I have imagined our set up men would be money and Craig Kimbrel will be the huge question mark. Can a team win a World Series with a closer who gives up runs ever time out?[/quote']

 

Kimbrel was showing signs of decline before the playoffs.

 

true, I was more worried about the rest of the pen, especially beyond Barnes & Brazier.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

I think what the Red Sox have to do is pretty simple. For games 6 & 7 (if the series goes that far) Kimbrel has lost the closer's role. Move Barnes or Brasier to the closer role and Porcello replaces Barnes or Brasier as a set up guy.

 

Kimbrel is so terrible--it is quite astonishing he hasn't cost the Red Sox a game yet. Just because it hasn't happened doesn't mean it won't happen.

 

I don't know if the Red Sox can even make him a qualifying offer anymore. No one is going to give him a Chapman contract. He has struggled so much, big offers might not be there. Maybe Kimbrel will anticipate that and take the 17-18 million qualifying offer.

[kenmeister]

I never thought I'd say this, but I trust Kelly out there more than Kimbrel right now.

[mvp 78]

Maybe his FA price tag is falling?

[moonslav59]

I think what the Red Sox have to do is pretty simple. For games 6 & 7 (if the series goes that far) Kimbrel has lost the closer's role. Move Barnes or Brasier to the closer role and Porcello replaces Barnes or Brasier as a set up guy.

 

Kimbrel is so terrible--it is quite astonishing he hasn't cost the Red Sox a game yet. Just because it hasn't happened doesn't mean it won't happen.

 

I don't know if the Red Sox can even make him a qualifying offer anymore. No one is going to give him a Chapman contract. He has struggled so much, big offers might not be there. Maybe Kimbrel will anticipate that and take the 17-18 million qualifying offer.

 

9th Brasier

8th Barnes

7th Kelly

8 run lead Kimbrel

[Slasher9]

just keep putting up 8+ runs and we wont have to worry so much about our leprechaun....

 

ummmmm.....i am rethinking this strategy.......

[Fan_since_Boggs]

9th Brasier

8th Barnes

7th Kelly

8 run lead Kimbrel

 

I would go (for games 6 and 7)

 

9th Brasier

8th Porcello

7th Barnes

6th some combination of Kelly, E-Rod, etc.

8 run lead Kimbrel

[moonslav59]

I never thought I'd say this, but I trust Kelly out there more than Kimbrel right now.

 

Anybody is better than Kimbrel right now.

[S5Dewey]

Maybe his FA price tag is falling?

 

That could very well be, but it may not be too. Kimbrel right now is falling into the same category as Price. He can get you to the playoffs but can't get you out the other side. Price got a big contract so maybe Kimbrel will too.

 

IMO Kimberly (I stole that from another poster because I like it ) and Price are now playing for the best team they'll ever play for. Kim may get another big contract from a second-tier team who thinks he will push them into the first tier but no real contender will touch him for the kind of money he wants.

[mvp 78]

Barnes should be the closer. Hasn't given up any hits in 5.2 innings. He's been dynamite in the pen. Better than Brasier.

[Slasher9]

phantom DL kimbrel and bring up Pom to start game 5.

let Pom twist in the wind and save every arm for game 6 (and 7 if needed).

[mvp 78]

phantom DL kimbrel and bring up Pom to start game 5.

let Pom twist in the wind and save every arm for game 6 (and 7 if needed).

 

Wouldn't they be better served throwing Johnson or Velazquez out there?

[Slasher9]

Wouldn't they be better served throwing Johnson or Velazquez out there?

 

except for the twisting in the wind part. i am literally willing to let Pom throw 8 full innings and give up 72 runs. I do not want to do that to Johnson or Neck Tat as i want them on our team next year.....

[mvp 78]

except for the twisting in the wind part. i am literally willing to let Pom throw 8 full innings and give up 72 runs. I do not want to do that to Johnson or Neck Tat as i want them on our team next year.....

 

I think this is a very bad and silly idea.

[S5Dewey]

That's not the worst idea I've ever heard but there are some drawbacks to it from a competitive standpoint. It would completely impugn the integrity of the game and piss off thousands of fans who paid big bucks to see a playoff game. It would also probably result in a HUGE fine for Alex Cora and the Red Sox organization.

 

It would kinda put the Sox into the same category as Machado, being willing to destroy the integrity of the game in exchange for a win. But as a Sox fan - I like the idea!

[SoxnCycles]

except for the twisting in the wind part. i am literally willing to let Pom throw 8 full innings and give up 72 runs. I do not want to do that to Johnson or Neck Tat as i want them on our team next year.....

 

If it were still the regular season, I'd be all for it.

Conceding a playoff game? No thanks.