It’s no secret that Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel, acquired in a trade near the end of spring training, has not been the dominant back-of-the-bullpen piece the Dodgers hoped they were acquiring when they sent outfielder AJ Pollock to the White Sox for him.
In his first 45 games with Los Angeles, Kimbrel has posted a 4.46 ERA and has blown four of the five one-run save opportunities he’s been handed. He has allowed at least one earned run in 15 of his 45 appearances and at least one baserunner in 37.
One notable difference between Kimbrel this year and in previous years is his luck on batted balls.