Inside The Dodgers

Dodgers News: Craig Kimbrel Admits He's Been a Shell of Himself in 2022

Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel opens up about his struggles this season

Ryan Menzie

Dodgers News: Craig Kimbrel Admits He's Been a Shell of Himself in 2022
Dodgers News: Craig Kimbrel Admits He's Been a Shell of Himself in 2022 /
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It's hard to imagine any flaws to stick out with the way the Dodgers have been playing. But despite being the first team in baseball to reach 80 wins, all eyes remain on Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel after the eight-time All-Star blew another save on Tuesday night. 

Even before his Tuesday night meltdown, Kimbrel has been circulating around Dodgers news this whole season for his blown saves. The Dodgers entered the bottom of the 11th inning up 4-3, but with runners in scoring position and a bunt and walk later, Krimbel gave up a walk-off two-RBI single to Victor Caratini. 

Kimbrel has been aware of his struggles despite recording 20 saves on the season and took the time to open up abut his frustrations following Tuesday's loss (quotes via SportsNetLA).

“It’s frustrating. It’s tremendously frustrating. This whole year, really, I’ve felt like I’ve been battling. Not necessarily the other team, but myself. … I just haven’t been able to put it all together. Not to say I won’t, because I definitely will. It’s coming. But I just think in the last 40-something innings, it’s been very frustrating. It’s time for me to turn it around, and I’m going to. Just come in every day, taking the ball and going out there and eventually it’s going to turn.”

Dave Roberts remains optimistic about, relaying the message multiple times of keeping Kimbrel as his starter, and hopes to boost the confidence of his closer. 

Despite the approval, it's hard to imagine Kimbrel's job remaining safe if he continues to underperform. 

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Ryan Menzie
RYAN MENZIE

Ryan Menzie | Lead Contributor Ryan is an LA Native who has grown up praising the greatest athletes LA has had to offer. A love for sports ranging between basketball, football, volleyball and golf, a future Sports Management Masters graduate, and being engulfed into organized sports since seven years old, the passion and love for sports never ends for Ryan. If the words he writes don't paint the full picture of his true fandom, he will find more ways than one to tell the story and be more than willing to open up a nice LA sports debate with you. Favorite Player: Mookie Betts Favorite Moment: 2020 World Series. The Lakers won the NBA title and the Dodgers secured the World Series only a couple of months later. During such a rough time with COVID-19 and such a bleak look at how sports has tried to overcome the circumstances, it was a relief to see the night sky lit up for many nights and a makeshift parade in LA when it seemed like we needed it the most.

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