Is Indians closer Cody Allen's job in jeopardy?
Cody Allen has been consistently inconsistent this season, which is a problem no closer can afford to have.
Allen got off to a rough start at the beginning of the 2015 season, but he improved as the season went on -- until the All-Star break. Since the second half of the season began, Allen has once again struggled with consistency on the mound.
From Cleveland.com:
"Allen is 22-for-25 in save situations. The best closers will fail four to six times a year. But it's inconsistency that puts the seed of doubt in not only the closer's mind, but his team as well. In seven appearances since the All-Star break, Allen is 0-2 with a 5.69 ERA. He's saved three games and blown two others."
In 46 appearances this year, Allen is 1-4 with a 4.12 ERA. He's struck out 67 and walked 19 in 43 2/3 innings. Comparing those stats to last season, Allen was 3-2 with a 2.16 ERA and 13 saves after 46 appearances. He had 16 walks and 55 strikeouts.
While Allen is having a down year in comparison to his 2014 season, manager Terry Francona doesn't seem ready to make a change in the closer role. When asked about Allen's blown save with two outs in the ninth of Wednesday's game against the Angels, Francona chalked it up to "inconsistency" and said he doesn't see a trend.
But with the Indians no longer in postseason contention, it wouldn't be a huge surprise if Francona cut back on Allen's work load and started mixing in some other relievers to close out games.
(h/t Cleveland.com)
