For the second consecutive NLCS game, Phillies reliever Craig Kimbrel found himself unable to preserve a late-inning situation, resulting in a loss on Friday night. Due to Kimbrel’s recent struggles, the Phillies’ 2-0 series lead over the Diamondbacks has now evolved into a 2-2 deadlock ahead of Saturday night’s Game 5.
Following the Phillies’ 6-5 loss on Friday night, Phillies manager Rob Thomson was questioned about Kimbrel’s role in the bullpen for the defending NL champions. Thomson responded, “We need to have a discussion about it.” When asked about the possibility of altering Kimbrel’s role in the future, he added, “Should we place him in situations with lower pressure? I’m not sure. I’ll have a conversation with him and Caleb Cotham, our pitching coach, to analyze the situation.”
Craig Kimbrel, aged 35, entered Game 4 with an unimpressive 6.75 ERA for this year’s NLCS, having allowed three walks in just 1 1/3 innings. In Game 4, he surrendered three runs in 2/3 of an inning, with two of those runs coming from Alek Thomas’ two-run pinch-hit homer in the eighth, which tied the game. This marked the first blown save of Kimbrel’s playoff career.
During the regular season, Kimbrel had been a valuable asset for the Phillies, boasting a 3.26 ERA (132 ERA+) and a 3.36 K/BB ratio across 69 innings while successfully converting 23 of 28 save opportunities. Nevertheless, it is his recent struggles that are currently under scrutiny, and they may prompt adjustments in how Manager Thomson handles any leads that come the Phillies’ way for the remainder of the postseason.
