With 17 games remaining, each game is getting more important for the Houston Astros. The Astros are sitting on top of the American League West with a record of 78-67, but their lead shrank to one game over the Seattle Mariners after a 4-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night.
There’s no shame in losing to a team that owns the American League's best record, but losses at this time of year are more about why they lost than where it ends up in the standings. On Tuesday, it was a blown save by Bryan Abreu that made the difference, and it could open the door for the Astros to install Craig Kimbrel as the closer as they come down the stretch.
Craig Kimbrel Should Replace Bryan Abreu as Astros Closer After Tuesday’s Collapse
Tuesday’s game was lowlighted by Luis Garcia, who left the game with elbow discomfort in his second start returning from Tommy John surgery. The loss was just as much about Abreu, though, who was looking to hold onto a 3-1 lead entering the ninth inning.
After issuing a leadoff walk to Alejandro Kirk, Abreu got the first out of the inning on an Addison Barger strikeout before allowing an Ernie Clement single and a Davis Schneider walk to load the bases with one out. Isiah Kiner-Falefa took advantage with a two-run single to tie the game before Abreu struck out George Springer and got Myles Straw to fly out to end the inning, but the damage had already been done.
Kimbrel came in in the bottom of the 10th inning and allowed a leadoff infield single to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and the winning run to score on a Tyler Heineman groundout to end the game. Kimbrel’s struggles have paled in comparison to Abreu, who has allowed a 6.55 ERA since Josh Hader went on the injured list due to a left shoulder capsule strain on Aug. 12.
Hader, who earned 28 saves and posted a 2.05 ERA in 48 appearances before the injury, is out for the rest of the regular season. The Astros have been scrambling to find bullpen help ever since, and it led them to sign Kimbrel on Aug. 22. Kimbrel has been solid for Houston, tossing six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and six walks since joining the team. He also has valuable experience, ranking fifth all-time with 440 career saves.
Pushing Kimbrel to the closer role with just nine major league appearances this season is a major risk, but it’s one the Astros need to take as they cling to first place in the division and a spot in the postseason. Someone needs to hold the fort at the back end of the bullpen with the hopes that Hader can return for the playoffs, which may require a drastic decision after Tuesday night’s collapse.