Is Kimbrel Shook?

[dgalehouse]

Comparing Kimbrel to Osuna is a pretty low bar! He's been very fortunate to have not picked up a "L" in his most recent appearances.

 

I can appreciate the perspective of those who want to have Kimbrel's back but it's obvious to everyone that the Craig Kimbrel we're seeing pitch recently isn't the same Craig Kimbrel we saw mid-season. He used to be dominant and now he's depending on the best defensive outfield in baseball or an outstanding play by an infielder to bail him out. Sooner or later that may (probably will) catch up with him.

 

I guess we will see. Meanwhile, I will support all 25 players. And the manager.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

The sox are very fortunate that it hasn't cost them any games.

 

The SOX are more fortunate in having the best defensive OF in baseball.

[dgalehouse]

As Bill Parcells is being quoted as saying, "All I know is what I see" and what I'm seeing now is that for some reason I wouldn't speculate on Kimbrel is suddenly no more than a mediocre closer.

 

Parcells is more known for the quote , " We are what our record says we are." Think about it.

[S5Dewey]

I guess we will see. Meanwhile, I will support all 25 players. And the manager.

 

And I certainly didn't mean to imply that I don't support all 25 also. I'm just callin' 'em like I see 'em.

 

It just goes to what I tell my kids... Don't ask me any questions you may not want to hear the answer to.

[Bellhorn04]

@redsoxstats

 

In the post-season players have swung at only 9 of 41 Kimbrel curveballs, 22%, which is nearing a 50% drop from the regular season. They have taken 12 of the 14 he has thrown in the strike zone. I wonder if something is going on there.

 

He might be tipping - that would make some sense.

[S5Dewey]

Parcells is more known for the quote , " We are what our record says we are." Think about it.

 

Both of those saying have a lot to be said for them, even though they may conflict at times.

[Bellhorn04]

He will get more chances . He certainly has a history of being very capable. How many saves this year ? I hope the players stick together as a team and don't think of it as " bailing anyone out." That is not a good way to look at it.

 

You are like a breath of fresh air here.

[dgalehouse]

You are like a breath of fresh air here.

 

Thanks. It just tickles me how folks can always focus on the negative while things are going so well.

[Slasher9]

As Bill Parcells is being quoted as saying, "All I know is what I see" and what I'm seeing now is that for some reason I wouldn't speculate on Kimbrel is suddenly no more than a mediocre closer.

 

honestly i would not be surprised if Barnes was our closer for the remainder of the 2018 postseason run....

[notin]

You are like a breath of fresh air here.

 

Well, some see the glass as half empty. Some see the glass as half full. dgalehouse sees the glass and thinks "this could use a refill."

[Bellhorn04]

Well, some see the glass as half empty. Some see the glass as half full. dgalehouse sees the glass and thinks "this could use a refill."

 

And accountants think the glass is twice as big as it should be.

[jonnylongfella]

honestly i would not be surprised if Barnes was our closer for the remainder of the 2018 postseason run....

 

when we brought Kimbrel in in the 8th, I actually thought he was being demoted to set up, with Price (for this game at least since Barnes had already pitched) closing it out

[TylerD]

The sox are very fortunate that it hasn't cost them any games.

 

Exactly! And that’s why Kimbrel continues to get a free pass in my opinion with Cora. He hasn’t lost a game yet because we always have a 2 or 3 run lead. But I’m telling you right now. Not a single person on this board should trust Kimbrel to save us if it’s 5-4 Sox going into the 9th. Hell even with a 3 run lead I get nervous.

[moonslav59]

Exactly! And that’s why Kimbrel continues to get a free pass in my opinion with Cora. He hasn’t lost a game yet because we always have a 2 or 3 run lead. But I’m telling you right now. Not a single person on this board should trust Kimbrel to save us if it’s 5-4 Sox going into the 9th. Hell even with a 3 run lead I get nervous.

 

The bigger question is how much longer will he stick with him.

 

We all know what the results will be, if he uses him again.

[moonslav59]

honestly i would not be surprised if Barnes was our closer for the remainder of the 2018 postseason run....

 

...or Brasier.

[TylerD]

...or Brasier.

 

ya I was kind of thinking Brasier myself. He has looked very sharp through the post season. then again Barnes has played 6 innings and given up not hits or runs. hard to argue with those numbers. I would be fine with either guy getting the closing role. My guess is if Kimbrel comes in tonight and blows it his days are done in the playoffs.

[cp176]

...or Brasier.

 

i'm loving me some brasier right now just like everybody else but I have a question - Is he ok or is he just naturally cockeyed? As peculiar as Kimbrel looks when he is taking signs, he's got nothing on Brasier.

[dgalehouse]

Well, some see the glass as half empty. Some see the glass as half full. dgalehouse sees the glass and thinks "this could use a refill."

 

Notin looks at the glass and asks ," How much did we pay for this goblet ?" " We should be able to find a cheaper one that holds just as much water ."

[notin]

Notin looks at the glass and asks ," How much did we pay for this goblet ?" " We should be able to find a cheaper one that holds just as much water ."

 

And if we could, why wouldn’t we?

[cp176]

And if we could, why wouldn’t we?

 

um - because we aren't John Henry.(notin just a little kidding here)

[dgalehouse]

And if we could, why wouldn’t we?

 

Empty jelly jars can serve the same purpose. But they look kind of tacky when guests come over. Sometimes you have to break down and spend a buck.

[notin]

Empty jelly jars can serve the same purpose. But they look kind of tacky when guests come over. Sometimes you have to break down and spend a buck.

 

But you don't have to make payments on that goblet for 6 or 7 years when it is very clear to everyone else in the world that you will be lucky if it last 2 years.

 

And you certainly don't have to think John Henry owes it to his fans to buy every goblet you want....

[TylerD]

ya I was kind of thinking Brasier myself. He has looked very sharp through the post season. then again Barnes has played 6 innings and given up not hits or runs. hard to argue with those numbers. I would be fine with either guy getting the closing role. My guess is if Kimbrel comes in tonight and blows it his days are done in the playoffs.

 

Glad to say I was wrong. Kimbrel was a beast last night.

[OH FOY]

He was tipping his Pitches, this from Cora. Eric Gagne text Cora, he could see, the way he was holding his hands, what was coming.

[mvp 78]

He was tipping his Pitches, this from Cora. Eric Gagne text Cora, he could see, the way he was holding his hands, what was coming.

 

Why didn't the coaching staff notice this?

[OH FOY]

https://www.bostonsportsjournal.com/2018/10/19/alcs-notebook-kimbrel-gets-help-unlikely-source-devers-continues-turnaround/

Cora said it was too bad we didn't notice this and it took us so long.

Edited October 19, 2018 by OH FOY!

[Slasher9]

He was tipping his Pitches, this from Cora. Eric Gagne text Cora, he could see, the way he was holding his hands, what was coming.

 

that Gagne contract finally paid off.

[Bellhorn04]

that Gagne contract finally paid off.

 

HAHAHAHA...well played.

[mvp 78]

Would trade Murphy and Gabbard for Gagne all over again.

[Thunder]

Glad to say I was wrong. Kimbrel was a beast last night.

 

On no rest either after throwing 2 shaky innings