VIDEO: Craig Kimbrel Gets Save in Cubs Debut on Amazing Play From Anthony Rizzo
By James.r
The Chicago Cubs bullpen got a boost Thursday when Craig Kimbrel was promoted to the MLB club to -- finally -- begin his 2019 season. The team threw the veteran closer right into the fire in his first game, putting him in for a save opportunity against his former team, the Atlanta Braves. With the game on the line and the go-ahead run at the dish for Atlanta, Kimbrel managed to close it out, thanks to this unreal play by Anthony Rizzo.
Hey Kimbrel, you forget you gotta cover first base? We know you've been away from the game for a while but come on...
It's nice to have a two-time Gold Glove award-winner at manning first base. Between the tough stop, the hustle and the dive to tag the base, that was one heck of a way to put an exclamation point on a victory.
It was business as usual for Kimbrel, who has made a career out of heart-pounding, bend-but-don't-break saves.
For a closer, it doesn't matter how many base runners you allow so long as you get the last out. That's exactly what Kimbrel has always done, converting on 334 of 368 career save opportunities and putting together an incredible 1.91 career ERA.
The 31-year-old's filthy stuff will add a new layer of consistency to the Cubs 'pen for a potential deep playoff run, and it should be fun to watch.