Maligned Former Dodger Reliever Wins Pitcher of the Month Award

So ... why didn't the Dodgers get this version of him?

Former Dodgers reliever Craig Kimbrel has won the National League Reliever of the Month Award for June ... seriously.

Kimbrel, who many Dodger fans remember for his inconsistent play and inability to hold a lead of any kind, has just been rewarded for his dominant month of June in which he pitched 13 innings and sported a minuscule 0.69 ERA with 21 strikeouts and five saves.

Your National League Reliever of the Month for June: Craig Kimbrel

Congrats Craig! pic.twitter.com/fvkBe9R0GR

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 3, 2023

This definitely has to be a bit of a surprise to Dodger fans who haven't watched many Phillies games this year, but Kimbrel is deserving of the praise after a dominant month in Philadelphia.

Ironically, the Dodgers could desperately use someone like Kimbrel right now shoring up the back of their bullpen, but unfortunately for them, that experiment just did not work out last year.

Kimbrel's numbers have greatly improved following this dominant month, but he's by no means having an All-Star caliber season.

On the year, Kimbrel now has a 3.71 ERA and 12 saves in 34 innings. He does have an impressive 5-1 record, and is 12 for 12 in save opportunities, but this impressive month brought his ERA down from as high as an 8.25 ERA in early May.

Still, you have to feel happy for Kimbrel, as the 35-year-old has found himself a nice home in Philadelphia. As long as he's not closing out important games against the Dodgers, it shouldn't hurt Dodger fans too much that he's thriving in Philadelphia. Just kind of funny, if anything.