8/16/20
By Bob Zayas, Cubs Beat Writer and MLB Contributor
CHICAGO, Illinois- Have you heard of the term the “Yips”? You may have first heard it while watching professional golf when a player consistently and suddenly couldn’t make a two-foot putt. According to Tread Athletics, in baseball, it means “the sudden inability to throw the ball accurately”. So, what do the Yips have to do with Craig Kimbrel, the right-handed relief pitcher of the Chicago Cubs?
Kimbrel came to Chicago after three years with the Boston Red Sox where he posted a 2.44 ERA in 184.1 innings pitched. In 2019, he signed a three-year $43 million dollar contract with the Cubs. That same year his ERA soared to 6.53 in 20.2 innings pitched. 2020 hasn’t yet seen him change his wildness and what many are describing as the "Yips". A few days ago, I watched him come in the game and quickly give up a triple, a walk and single! His pitches were nowhere near the strike zone. The harder he tried to place his pitches the wilder he got. It was tough to watch, as his frustration became more and more evident as his composure unraveled. His ERA is presently at 17.18, the third worst on the team, for the highest paid reliever on the team.
Kimbrel is a 7-time All-Star and a World Series Champion (2018). His career ERA is 2.17. Surely, he will turn this affliction around. A step in the right direction was on Friday night when he was brought in the 9th in a close game versus the Brewers. Kimbrel faced 4 batters, struck out two, lined out one batter and gave up only one walk. Let’s hope he continues to pitch well in his relief role. The potential is there…now, its just the Yips to overcome.
Sources: ESPN.com, Bleacherreport.com and CBS Sports
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