July 4th, 2022 at 9:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka It is an acronym we coined here on ThinkBlueLA.com many years ago: a ‘SHW’ game – Should Have Won.
Sunday’s series finale between the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium was a SHW game.
Instead, Dodgers (very) confirmed closer Craig Kimbrel not only blew his third save in his last 13 appearances, but also turned what should have been future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw‘s 10th win of the season into an ugly 4-2 Dodgers loss to make it a 3-1 series win instead of a four-game sweep. It was also Kimbrel’s fourth loss of the season to go along with his one win.
Worthy of note, however, is that Kimbrel took a hard line drive to the back off the bat of Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth in the top of the ninth inning, which led to the Friars taking a 2-1 lead. He was replaced one batter later by Dodgers right-hander Yency Almonte, who served up a two-run home run to Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim to make it a 4-1 ballgame. And even though the Dodgers managed to add a run in the bottom of the ninth on a Freddie Freeman sacrifice fly, the Dodgers couldn’t overcome the damage done by Kimbrel and Almonte.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)
As for that ‘(very) confirmed closer Craig Kimbrel’ thing, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has repeatedly proclaimed “Kimbrel is our closer,” when repeatedly questioned about Kimbrel’s recent struggles, and did so yet again on Sunday when asked if he has considered making a change to his closer role.
“Right now I’m not even considering that. I think that he’s earned that,” Roberts answered directly. “Also, just given where our bullpen is at and who we have, to have the ability to deploy guys in different spots I think has value as well. So I think the net, having Craig still as our closer, for me, is pretty easy.”
One has to wonder if the $16 million that the 34-year-old Huntsville, AL native and third-round draft pick in 2008 by the Atlanta Braves out of Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, AL is being paid this season – the option year of his current three-year / $43 million contract (he becomes a free agent after this season) – has more to do with Roberts’ “net” than his recent performances, good or bad. Roberts did say, however, that he plans to stay away from using Kimbrel for a while.
“As far as health, he’ll be down for a couple days and the expectation is he’ll be ready to go then.”
Play Ball!
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I thought Roberts’ decision to leave Kimbrel in the game was awful. Some may think that is 20/20 hindsight, but I told my wife and son it was a mistake before he faced the next hitter. Hard line drive to the back of any pitchers throwing shoulder is problematic.
Another of Roberts poor game managing mistakes.
Roberts seems like a great guy with uncharacteristic charisma for an on-field manager — and his current 62.3 winning percentage is HOF worthy. BUT, with the Dodgers talent that winning percentage may be misleading when one regularly watches the team and many of his on-field decisions. I am a fan of the man, but not a fan of his managerial skills.
Jesse,
i’m inclined to believe he has little say in those decisions. i know it has come up before but he makes a lot of the same dumb moves that donnie did and he certainly doesn’t manage as he played. we all know how the selection process left little doubt that kapler would be the next manager. i doubt that Doc convinced then that his ideas were better so much as he convinced them that he could follow their plan.
Not thrilled with Roberts. He is grossly overrated. A good manager, but, not a great manager that his winning % indicates. He has been handed the keys to a Ferrari. He is certainly going to win the majority of the races.