Red Sox: Why wasn’t Craig Kimbrel used in the All-Star Game?
By Sean Penney
The Boston Red Sox sent five players to the All-Star Game but one of them never saw the field. Where was closer Craig Kimbrel?
The 2018 MLB All-Star Game was a thrilling extra-innings affair. Six of the game’s 14 runs were scored in the ninth and tenth innings. With both offenses exploding late in the game you would think the managers would turn to their best available options to slam the door shut. Yet Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel sat and watched from the bullpen.
Seattle Mariners closer Edwin Diaz got the call when a save opportunity presented itself in the ninth. The move backfired when Diaz gave up a two-run homer to Cincinnati’s Scooter Gennett to tie the game. It looks like a mistake in retrospect but Diaz is an elite closer who leads the league in saves. Putting him in that situation was a fair decision.
AL manager AJ Hinch‘s handling of the eighth is less defensible. He used Houston Astros starter Charlie Morton for two innings. Morton had already allowed a home run in the seventh and coughed up another in the eighth to bring the National League to within two runs. Usually, managers want to be cautious with the workload of pitchers in an exhibition game. Hinch allowed his own guy to throw 40 pitches over two innings when Morton wasn’t even pitching well.
Hinch turned to Toronto Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ when another save opportunity presented itself in the 10th inning. A borderline All-Star with a 4.29 ERA who had never notched a save in his career. That’s who you trust with the game on the line? Only in a game that doesn’t actually count for anything.
It all panned out in the end. Happ surrendered a home run to Joey Votto but still hung on to protect his three-run lead.
Where was Kimbrel?
More from Red Sox News
- Red Sox Nation deserves far more from Fenway Sports Group
- Bizarre trade deadline comes back to haunt Red Sox after Nathan Eovaldi departure
- Red Sox’ Moneyball-style offseason continues with Corey Kluber contract
- Rich Hill’s Red Sox departure puts him within striking distance of unique MLB record
- Red Sox offseason takes another nasty hit with Nathan Eovaldi departure
The American League still won the game 8-6 but given how it played out it left us all wondering. Why didn’t Hinch release the Kimbrel?
Apparently, this was a predetermined plan. ESPN’s Marly Rivera spoke with Kimbrel after the game and was told that it was determined that he be kept “on his regular schedule.” That meant that Tuesday would be a day off for the closer.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora was the bench coach under Hinch last year in Houston. It’s a solid bet that Cora asked Hinch to avoid using Kimbrel. Had the game lasted deeper into extra innings then Hinch may not have had a choice but using Kimbrel was a last resort.
Kimbrel needed a break
Kimbrel endured a heavy workload heading into the break. He made four relief appearances from July 11 to July 15, totaling 4 1/3 innings. He’s already tossed 7 1/3 innings this month, putting him on pace for the most innings he’s thrown in any month this season.
The 69 innings that Kimbrel threw last year were his most since 2011. He’s already at 40 2/3 innings this year so he may top last year’s workload by the end of the season.
Fans want to see their players in the spotlight on this stage. That’s understandable yet Red Sox fans have little to complain about. Chris Sale started the game, along with Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez. Mitch Moreland came off the bench to record a couple of hits. Boston was well represented in this All-Star Game.
Next: Top 10 Red Sox performances in All-Star history
Giving their closer an extended break was in the best interest of the Red Sox so Hinch actually did them a favor.