Fansided

10 MLB stars who need to step up and carry their team to the playoffs

By Joshua Sadlock

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 31: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park on July 31, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 31: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park on July 31, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 10
Next
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 17: Craig Kimbrel #24 of the Chicago Cubscelebrates a win over the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on July 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Reds 5-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 17: Craig Kimbrel #24 of the Chicago Cubscelebrates a win over the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on July 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Reds 5-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

5. Craig Kimbrel

A closer isn’t necessarily the deciding factor in a team’s playoff hopes over the course of a 162-game schedule. Plenty of teams have been able to work around volatile bullpens if the rest of their roster is constructed well. That being said, a closer can play a deciding role in a drawn-out playoff race that will come down to the wire. Every game matters, and teams cannot afford to blow winnable games.

The Cubs thought they had solved their on-again/off-again search for stability in the ninth inning when they scooped up All-Star Craig Kimbrel after the qualifying offer window passed. Unfortunately, the right-hander has struggled to settle in after an extended offseason. He is on the Injured List with a balky knee and has a 5.68 ERA in 12.2 innings. After allowing five earned runs and two home runs in his first 2.2 innings, Kimbrel had settled down before the injury. The seven-time All-Star had a 2.70 ERA in over an 11-game stretch with 14 strikeouts in 10 innings.

If Chicago is to hold off challenges from Milwaukee and St. Louis, they must have vintage Kimbrel when he comes off the IL. The Cubs gave the closer the rich, multi-year deal he was seeking. Now it’s time for him to step up and start delivering. If Kimbrel is unable to quickly lock in when he returns, the Cubs bullpen could be the difference between winning the division and missing the playoffs. The NL playoff race is that tight this year.

Kimbrel is on track for the worst season of his career as the long layoff has affected him much more than it affected Dallas Keuchel. He has never been knocked around like this in his career. Despite the bloated ERA, there were signs that Kimbrel was getting into a groove before his injury. The Cubs bullpen is holding on by a thread and they need their closer back as soon as possible.

Home/MLB