Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 7, 2021
Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel provides welcome relief
Cubs pitcher Craig Kimbrel delivers during the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds on May 28.Among active relievers, no résumé comes close to Craig Kimbrel’s. In the midst of the Cubs’ ups and downs this season, Kimbrel has not only gotten back to a form not seen from him in a few years, he is putting together the best season of his career.
Entering Tuesday, Kimbrel’s ERA (0.59) and WHIP (0.652) were the lowest of his career, edging out previous bests he posted in 2012 with the Braves. His strikeout rate is inching toward 50%, a number he hasn’t touched in close to a decade. And the walks, Kimbrel’s Achilles heel in recent years, are down to 8.8%, his lowest since 2017.