The large query for the Orioles coming into the 2024 season was how one can substitute injured nearer Felix Bautista. Trying to construct on their first postseason look in six years, they signed some of the adorned closers of all time, Craig Kimbrel.
Kimbrel’s begin to his Orioles profession included seven saves, three wins and only one run allowed over 11 innings. The 36-year-old went from ninth in all-time saves to seventh in that 11-game stretch. Then got here a six-game droop stemming from an higher again subject through which he gave up seven runs in 3 1/3 innings and was quickly faraway from his position because the Orioles nearer.
However the future Corridor of Famer has discovered his groove once more and is in a dominant stretch, permitting only one stroll and two hits whereas recording eight saves in his final 11 appearances. Kimbrel, who’s recorded the fifth-most saves in baseball historical past, reached one other milestone in his 808th profession look on Wednesday. He struck out Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic for his 1226th profession strikeout, surpassing Corridor of Fame nearer Lee Smith for the third-most strikeouts by a reliever in main league historical past.
