Craig Kimbrel Says He's "Tired Of Giving Up Runs"

Welcome to the club.

In his nine-year career, Craig Kimbrel has allowed runs in more than two straight appearances only twice (with one coming two months ago). Kimbrel has now allowed runs in his last four postseason games.

Bill Baer, NBC Sports:

"[Kimbrel's] walk rate, which shot up to 12.6 percent [in 2018] after settling at 5.5 percent last season. ... Kimbrel's ratio during the regular season of 3.1 strikeouts for each walk marks the second-lowest among full seasons in his career.

Of the four balls the Astros put in play on Sunday night, three had an exit velocity of 92 MPH or above. [George] Springer's two-out double, which sparked the beginning of a potential rally, registered at 106.3 MPH. If we go back to Kimbrel's ALDS Game 4 appearance against the Yankees last week, the two balls put in play against him had exit velocities of 99.5 and 107.1 MPH. ... When bats are being put on Kimbrel's pitches, they're mostly being smoked. ... The Red Sox shouldn't overreact to a sample size of 3.1 innings, but they should have a life raft attached to their boat in case Kimbrel can't shape up in time."

Allowed Runs In Three Consecutive Games (Regular Season)

April 29 to May 4, 2012 (Atlanta)
Allowed 1 run in 1 inning in each game, against Pirates, Phillies, and Rockies
Atlanta won all 3 games, with Kimbrel getting 2 saves

August 4-11, 2018 (Red Sox)
Allowed 1 run in 1 inning in each game, against Yankees, Blue Jays, and Orioles
Red Sox won all 3 games, with Kimbrel getting 1 win and 1 save

Allowed Runs In Consecutive Postseason Games

October 9, 2017 to October 14, 2018 (Red Sox)

2017 ALDS 4 vs Astros  - 1.0-3-1-1-1 - Red Sox lost
2018 ALDS 1 vs Yankees - 1.1-1-1-0-3 - Red Sox won
2018 ALDS 4 vs Yankees - 1.0-1-2-2-1 - Red Sox won
2018 ALCS 2 vs Astros  - 1.0-2-1-0-1 - Red Sox won

In the four games: 4.1 innings, 7 hits, 5 runs, 3 walks, 6 strikeouts, 2 wild pitches, 2 HBP, 3 saves (10.38 ERA)

In the 10 games mentioned above, Kimbrel's team came out on top nine times. That does not mean we want to see him continue to pitch like this.

Alex Bregman is 0-for-3 in the ALCS, but he has been on base seven times, with six walks and one hit-by-pitch. His batting average is .000, but his on-base average is .700.

In the 2018 postseason, Bregman has reached base in 17 of 24 plate appearances (.708 OBP).

Bregman is the second player to draw 10 walks through five games of a postseason, matching Jim Wynn (1974 Dodgers). Nine of Bregman's 10 walks have come on full counts.

Bregman's 10 walks are one more than Mariners outfielder Dee Gordon had in the entire regular season (588 PA).

Bregman is the first player to reach base four times without a hit in a postseason game (2018 ALCS 1) since David Ortiz did it in Game 6 of the 2013 World Series (four walks (three intentional)).

Bregman is the second player to reach base three times without a hit in back-to-back postseason games. Cubs outfielder Jimmy Sheckard walked three times in Games 2 and 3 of the 1910 World Series.