PT TOMORROW: AL East—What’s the matter with TAM closer Colome?

Tampa Bay Rays

In addition to what to do about an anemic offense, which has posted an AL-worst .310 slugging percentage through 14 games, one of the biggest questions in Tampa Bay is: What’s the matter with closer Alexander Colome (RHP, TAM)?

In his first five innings of the season, Colome has yielded 12 hits, walked as many batters as he has struck out (4), blown two save opportunities and taken two losses.

Manager Kevin Cash and others are laying much of the blame for Colome’s struggles on his pitch mix, specifically an over-reliance on his cutter. After throwing his fastball and cutter about equally in 2016, Colome threw the cutter two-thirds of time last year and had used it on 75 percent of his pitches this season through April...

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