Phillies Closer Knebel Has to Be Better than He Was in May

After a strong performance in April, Philadelphia Phillies closer Corey Knebel struggled to save games in May.

© Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday evening, following a tough loss to the San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies closer Corey Knebel told reporters he wasn’t worried about his performance in the month of May.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a tough month for me,” he said. “I mean, I’ve had two bad outings in a row. Just two solo homers. That’s it.”

Perhaps it is a good thing that Knebel remains confident after some shaky outings. But the truth is, it has been a lot more than just two bad games. 

In 11.2 innings pitched in May, Knebel gave up nine runs (seven earned). He had given up just two runs (one earned) in April. 

Indeed, Knebel allowed more of pretty much everything this past month. Of the 18 hits he has allowed this season, 12 came in May.

Opposing hitters managed just one extra-base hit off of Knebel in April: a double at Coors Field in Colorado. In May, he surrendered six extra-base hits: three doubles, a triple, and two home runs.

All those extra-base hits were the result of batters making higher quality contact. According to Statcast, Knebel has been steadily allowing better and better contact as the season has gone on.

Expected wOBA from Baseball Savant. Data from April 8 through May 30

Knebel also issued seven walks in May compared to just three the month before. His strikeout-to-walk ratio plummeted.

All of the good contact and the hits, walks, and runs that Knebel allowed came back to haunt him. While he converted all four of his save opportunities in April, he blew three saves in seven chances in May. The Phillies lost five of the twelve games he entered. That’s not what any team wants from their closer.

Long story short, no matter what Knebel says, May was rough for him. As the closer on a team with postseason aspirations, he needs to be better going forward.

Confidence is generally an asset for professional athletes. But a player can be confident without overlooking his failures. 

In Knebel’s case, he would be wise to acknowledge his recent struggles. Otherwise, it’s hard to imagine how he can make the necessary adjustments to return to his early season form.

More From SI's Inside The Phillies:

1. How Mike Trout Will Join the Phillies
2. Andrew Painter is Off to a Historic Start
3. Phillies Top-10 Prospects Heading Into the 2022 MLB Season
4. 18-Year-Old Phillies Prospect is Making History
5. How did Philadelphia end up with Citizens Bank Park?
6. How the Phillie Phanatic Came to be America's Favorite Sports Mascot
7. This Unlikely Draft Pick Could be the Final Piece in the Phillies Next Blockbuster Trade
8. "The Family Was More Nervous Than Him," Stott’s Relatives on Debut
9. Picking the Phillies' All-Time Single Season Lineup
10. Drawing Comparisons to Harper, Phillies Prospect Wilson is Heating Up

---

Make sure to follow Inside the Phillies on Substack and Twitter!