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NLCS: Aroldis Chapman vs. Kenley Jansen, Who’s the Better Closer?

By Matt Weyrich

Oct 8, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) celebrates after striking out San Francisco Giants second baseman Kelby Tomlinson (not pictured) for the final out of game two of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. The Chicago Cubs won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54) celebrates after striking out San Francisco Giants second baseman Kelby Tomlinson (not pictured) for the final out of game two of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. The Chicago Cubs won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Through four games of the NLCS between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers, both teams have had to rely on their bullpens in tight situations. Which club has the better closer?

Through 26 playoff games this postseason, relievers have already thrown a total of 202 innings. With the leash much tighter on starters than during the regular season, bullpens are relied on much more heavily to keep games close. Two teams who know this just as well as anyone are none other than NLCS adversaries Los Angeles Dodgers (36.2 IP by their bullpen this October) and Chicago Cubs (32 IP).

Each National League powerhouse has a closer regarded among the best in baseball. For Los Angeles, Kenley Jansen has been a Dodger his entire career. He earned his first All-Star appearance of his career this season, and finished the year 47-for-53 in save opportunities with a 1.83 ERA. The Cubs boast Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman, whom they acquired from the Yankees midseason prior to the trade deadline. Chapman is a four-time All-Star and converted saves in 36 of his 39 chances this season while posting a 1.55 ERA between New York and Chicago.

Both players are a little under 30 years old and have a winter on the free agent market ahead of them. Jansen is a right-hander with a three-pitch repertoire that features an electric cutter and sinker that averages 95 mph. Chapman works from the left side, relying primarily on his exceptional fourseam fastball and slider that generates a lot of weak contact. No team could go wrong with either hurler taking the mound in the ninth inning, but which closer will come through for their club in the NLCS?

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The Dodgers have a well-documented problem with left-handed pitching. Their lineup consists of primarily lefty hitters, making it easier for opponents to use situational relievers for several batters in a row. Chapman, who held left-handed hitters to a stifling .135/.273/.189 slash line this season, has yet to allow a run through two appearances so far this series.

Jansen has been relied on a little more heavily than Chapman in the NLCS, but he has been just as effective. The Dodger’s closer has posted three-and-a-third scoreless frames, allowing only one hit while striking out six. Chicago’s bats finally broke out in a big way in the team’s 10-2 Game 4 victory Wednesday night. With Jansen getting the game off in the blowout, it will be interesting to see if he can silence the Cubs’ offense in Game 5.

Next: What Do the Indians Do Now for Five Days?

The two pitchers may be virtually identical based on the numbers, but Chapman holds the slightest of edges in the NLCS matchup. Los Angeles’ inability to beat lefties could be the Achilles heel for this team. With Chapman on the mound, the Cubs could not feel more confident.

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