Saves and Steals: Kimbrel Crumbles
Craig Kimbrel has hit the skids in Boston with a knee injury. He won’t be out too long – the timetable for recovery is just three to six weeks. I wonder if his recent struggles were partially due to the balky knee. The Sox also added former Diamondbacks closer Brad Ziegler via trade to bolster the relief corps.
Since we last convened for our weekly discussion of closers, teams have played only four or five games. We’ll still cover the latest news and performances. Jeurys Familia has a tidy four save lead on the competition. He’s locked down 31 games. Four others are tied for second with 27 saves.
As for base thieves, Jonathan Villar still has a narrow lead with 31 steals. Starling Marte has surged to 30 steals. Nobody else has more than Rajai Davis‘ 24 swipes. Over the last week, the crown goes to Marte who stole an impressive seven bases. Villar also stood out with five steals in six attempts.
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Tier 1: Elite (3)
Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees
Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers
Zach Britton, Baltimore Orioles
It’s getting thin in the elite tier. Chapman pitched twice with a save and a win in 3.1 innings. He also nabbed five strikeouts. Jansen was called upon three times. He earned two saves. Britton tossed three innings and added three saves. None of the elite trio allowed a run.
Tier 2: Nearly Elite (5)
Roberto Osuna, Toronto Blue Jays
Jeurys Familia, New York Mets
Hector Rondon, Chicago Cubs
Mark Melancon, Pittsburgh Pirates
David Robertson, Chicago White Sox
Osuna and Familia had identical weeks – two saves in two innings with two strikeouts. Melancon was called upon three times and earned two saves in 2.1 innings with, you guessed it, two strikeouts.
Rondon somehow allowed a solo home run to powerless Nick Markakis last Thursday which resulted in a blown save and an eventual Cubs loss. Overall, Rondon tabbed a save and seven strikeouts over three innings. Home runs happen – even to hasbeens.
Robertson missed a chunk of the week with what was described as a high leg strain. Nate Jones picked up his third save the season in Robertson’s absence.
Tier 3: Good Veterans (6)
Alex Colome, Tampa Bay Rays
A.J. Ramos, Miami Marlins
Sam Dyson, Texas Rangers
Kelvin Herrera, Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals
Cody Allen, Cleveland Indians
Francisco Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers
Ramos wasn’t flustered by the Marlins acquisition of Fernando Rodney. The Marlins closer was in top form. He threw two no-hit saves while tallying four strikeouts.
I listed Soria first last week because I thought Ned Yost might go with experience and guaranteed contract over talent. Herrera appears to be the first chair option. The situation may still be fluid. Herrera was saddled with the loss after allowing two runs last Wednesday. Soria coughed up a solo shot to Nelson Cruz the next day while working the eighth inning. Herrera finished up the week with a perfect save. Herrera is the guy to own, but don’t abandon your shares of Soria just yet.
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