Philadelphia Phillies Star Closer Potentially Tipping Pitches as Stretch Race Begins

Wednesday was a tough day for the Philadelphia Phillies. In complete control of the game up five runs, they lost a heartbreaker in extra innings despite leading in the top of the 10th and 11th inning.

After the Phillies took the lead in the 11th, they turned to their star closer Craig Kimbrel to close out the game. The right hander did something he's only done one other time this season.

He blew a save.

It was shocking to see for a player who has been lights out for Philadelphia since coming over in free agency before the start of the year.

Kimbrel has had a career resurgence so far this season.

Over last 30 games, he's posted an ERA of 1.50. In his last 15 games, he has a 1.80 ERA.

That's compared to his 6.53 ERA in 2019, 5.28 in 2020, 5.09 ERA after he got traded to the Chicago White Sox in 2021 and 3.75 ERA for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

Kimbrel has been a staple for the backend of the Phillies' bullpen that has been poor in recent years. There could be some concern if he starts struggling down the stretch.

However, Philadelphia thinks they know why he blew the save.

Matt Gelb of The Athletic posted, "Phillies believe Craig Kimbrel was tipping his pitches. Marlins runner on second tapped his head for fastballs and rubbed his chest for curveballs. Kimbrel took an intentional balk, but he said he’s done that before. They’ll look at it."

If he truly is tipping his pitches, that is a much easier fix than if their closer has lost his stuff or has been figured out by opposing teams.

They'll need to get this issue fixed quick as they're a half game up in the Wild Card standings with a long stretch of consecutive games underway.