Craig Kimbrel is a well-known name in Major League Baseball (MLB), having played for several teams throughout his career. As a relief pitcher, he has received numerous accolades, including eight All-Star selections and two Reliever of the Year awards.
However, one question remains: is Craig Kimbrel a World Series champion? In this blog, we will explore Kimbrel’s career in MLB, his performances in postseason games, and his role in the 2018 World Series championship team.
We will provide a definitive answer to the question of whether or not Kimbrel can claim the title of World Series champion.
Craig Kimbrel’s Career in Mlb
Craig Kimbrel has had an illustrious career in Major League Baseball (MLB) since his debut in 2010. He is primarily known for his role as a relief pitcher and has played for several teams throughout his career.
Kimbrel started his career with the Atlanta Braves, where he played from 2010 to 2014. During his time with the Braves, he established himself as one of the most dominant relievers in the game, recording 186 saves and earning three All-Star selections.
In 2015, Kimbrel was traded to the San Diego Padres, where he spent just one season before being traded again to the Boston Red Sox. He played for the Red Sox from 2016 to 2018 and was a key member of the team that won the 2018 World Series championship.
After his time with the Red Sox, Kimbrel signed with the Chicago Cubs for the 2019 season. He then played for the Chicago White Sox in 2020 before signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2021 season.
Throughout his career, Kimbrel has received numerous accolades for his performance as a relief pitcher. In addition to his All-Star selections, he has been named the National League Rookie of the Year (2011) and has won the National League and American League Reliever of the Year awards twice each.
Kimbrel’s Postseason Performances
Craig Kimbrel has had an impressive postseason career throughout his time in MLB. He has made appearances in the playoffs in six different seasons and has been a key contributor to his teams’ success in those games.
Kimbrel’s postseason debut came in 2012 when he was a member of the Atlanta Braves. He pitched in four games during that playoff run, recording three saves and striking out seven batters over 4.2 innings pitched.
In 2013, Kimbrel appeared in three postseason games for the Braves, recording one save and striking out three batters over three innings pitched. However, the Braves were eliminated in the National League Division Series that year.
During his time with the Boston Red Sox, Kimbrel made eight postseason appearances in 2016 and 2017. He recorded three saves and struck out 14 batters over 10.2 innings pitched in those games.
However, it was in 2018 that Kimbrel truly shined in the postseason. He made 10 appearances for the Red Sox during their playoff run, recording six saves and striking out 11 batters over 10.2 innings pitched. His performance was crucial in helping the Red Sox win the World Series championship that year.
One notable moment from Kimbrel’s postseason career came during the 2018 World Series. In Game 4, he entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning with a three-run lead. He allowed two runs but ultimately closed out the game and secured the win for the Red Sox.
Overall, Kimbrel has been a reliable and dominant presence in the postseason, with a career ERA of 0.96 in playoff games.
Kimbrel’s World Series Championship
The 2018 World Series was the championship series of MLB’s 2018 season, played between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Red Sox entered the series as the favorites, having won 108 games during the regular season.
Craig Kimbrel played a crucial role on the 2018 Boston Red Sox team as their closer. Throughout the regular season, he recorded 42 saves and had a 2.74 ERA. He was also named an All-Star for the eighth time in his career.
During the 2018 postseason, Kimbrel continued his dominant performance as the team’s closer. He recorded six saves in 10 appearances, allowing just two runs and striking out 11 batters over 10.2 innings pitched.
In the World Series itself, Kimbrel appeared in four of the five games, recording one save and striking out six batters over four innings pitched.
His performance was especially notable in Game 4, where he entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning with a three-run lead. Although he allowed two runs, he ultimately closed out the game and secured the win for the Red Sox.
Kimbrel’s contributions were crucial in helping the Red Sox win the 2018 World Series championship. He was part of a team that dominated throughout the entire postseason, with a record of 11-3 en route to the championship.
Other World Series Appearances
In addition to his championship with the Boston Red Sox in 2018, Craig Kimbrel has made one other appearance in the World Series in his career. This came in 2016 when he was a member of the Cleveland Indians.
Kimbrel appeared in three games during the 2016 World Series, pitching a total of two innings and allowing one run.
However, his performance was not enough to help the Indians win the championship, as they lost the series in seven games to the Chicago Cubs.
Despite not winning the championship in 2016, Kimbrel’s postseason performance that year was still impressive. He recorded six saves and struck out 14 batters over 9.2 innings pitched during the Indians’ playoff run.
Overall, while Kimbrel has only made two appearances in the World Series in his career, his performance in those games has been strong.
He has recorded seven saves and struck out 11 batters over six innings pitched, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure on baseball’s biggest stage.
Here’s a Table That Summarizes Craig Kimbrel’s Career in the World Series:
| Year | Team | Result | Games Played | Innings Pitched | Saves | Strikeouts | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Cleveland Indians | Lost | 3 | 2.0 | 0 | 2 | 4.50 |
| 2018 | Boston Red Sox | Won | 4 | 4.0 | 1 | 6 | 2.25 |
The table shows the two times that Kimbrel has appeared in the World Series, including the year, the team he played for, the result of the series, the number of games played, innings pitched, saves, strikeouts, and ERA.
FAQs
What was Craig Kimbrel’s role on the 2018 Boston Red Sox team?
Kimbrel was the closer for the Red Sox, meaning he was responsible for finishing games when the team had a lead. He recorded 42 saves during the regular season and continued to excel in the postseason.
What is Craig Kimbrel’s overall record in World Series games?
Kimbrel has appeared in two World Series in his career, winning one and losing one. He has recorded seven saves and struck out 11 batters over six innings pitched in those games.
How did Craig Kimbrel perform in the 2018 World Series?
Kimbrel appeared in four of the five games in the 2018 World Series, recording one save and striking out six batters over four innings pitched. His performance was particularly notable in Game 4, where he closed out the game and secured the win for the Red Sox.
Has Craig Kimbrel won any other awards or accolades during his career?
Yes, in addition to his World Series championship and multiple All-Star selections, Kimbrel has won the National League Rookie of the Year award and the Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year award twice.
What team did Craig Kimbrel play for in the 2016 World Series?
Kimbrel was a member of the Cleveland Indians during the 2016 World Series. Although he pitched well, the Indians ultimately lost the series to the Chicago Cubs in seven games.
Conclusion
Craig Kimbrel has had a remarkable career in MLB, including eight All-Star selections, two Reliever of the Year awards, and a 2018 World Series championship with the Boston Red Sox.
He has been a dominant force in the postseason throughout his career, with an impressive career ERA of 0.96 in playoff games. Kimbrel has proven to be a reliable and talented closer, capable of delivering in high-pressure situations.
His postseason success and consistent performance throughout his career make him a valuable asset to any team.
