PT TOMORROW: NL Central—Kimbrel in control

Chicago Cubs

Drafting Craig Kimbrel (RHP, CHC) this season was undoubtedly a move based on role rather than skills. After two awful partial seasons in Chicago, it was harder to imagine the possibility that he could regain his electric form of seasons past than the possibility that he would lose the closer role by the middle of the season. While returns are early, Kimbrel appears capable of holding the job on his own merit. He’s sat at 96.6 mph with his fastball, in line with his season average from 2020. He’s also greatly limited hard contact (.082 xBA, .094 xSLG) and has yet to allow a barreled ball. Most importantly, Kimbrel has yet to walk a batter in five innings of work, after failing to post a walk rate below 13 percent in any of...

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