The Padres’ new closer this year, Craig Kimbrel, has been walking a tightrope in the ninth inning. Although he’s converted 12 of his 13 save opportunities, he’s also posting a shocking 4.74 ERA through 19 innings after a 1.43 ERA in five years with Atlanta. According to U-T San Diego, Padres manager Bud Black seemed unfazed by the amount of runs his closer has been giving up. He said, "Put it this way — I'll take Craig Kimbrel every day of the week.”
The U-T points out that Kimbrel usually struggles in May, so he may just be settling in. The closer said, "It seems like throughout my career, once I get out of those first two months and into the summer, I kind of go on a run -- and then the team goes on a run, too.”
With the first two months coming to a close on Sunday, the Padres certainly hope Kimbrel’s previous history holds true.
(h/t U-T San Diego)
Photo credit: Richard Mackson/USA TODAY Sports
