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5 teams that should sign Craig Kimbrel

By Dylan Schmittler

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox delivers during the ninth inning of game four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 27, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox delivers during the ninth inning of game four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 27, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 28: Zach Davies #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the interleague game on May 28, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. a(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 28: Zach Davies #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the interleague game on May 28, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. a(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Milwaukee Brewers

Any time Craig Counsell manages, the Milwaukee Brewers often have a cavalcade of several relief pitchers throwing in most games.

Milwaukee’s lack of starting pitching has resulted in the bullpen throwing an NL-high 225 innings heading into Tuesday’s slate. Brandon Woodruff leads the team with seven wins in 64.1 innings. Despite a limited starting rotation, the Brewers are 31-25, just a half-game behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs.

Milwaukee’s biggest bullpen star has been southpaw Josh Hader, who has struck out 51 batters in 27 innings. Hader was supposed to be a part of a deep bullpen.

Corey Knebel and Jeremy Jeffress were counted on as big arms out of Milwaukee’s pen. Unlike Hader, Jeffress and Knebel have dealt with arm injuries that affected their seasons. Due to Knebel’s season-ending Tommy John surgery and Jeffress’ shoulder issues, Hader has already picked up a career-high 13 saves.

Until becoming the closer, Hader was often used as a super-reliever, a pitcher who could throw multiple innings. In 2018, Hader had 32 outings lasting at least four outs. In last year’s postseason, Hader had a pair of three-inning outings.

Despite being a closer, Hader has gotten at least four outs eight times this season. With Kimbrel closing behind him, Hader can be a multi-inning weapon to stop any rally.

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