Miami Marlins: Brandon Kintzler back from the depths of despair
The Miami Marlins are in the playoffs for the first time since 2003 and their closer Brandon Kintzler has been a big part of the resurgence.
Alright, the term despair may be a little much to describe where Brandon Kintzler found himself a few years back. He wasn’t at rock bottom. Where he is now though is the story, and he is a big part of why the Miami Marlins will be going back to the postseason for the first time since 2003.
Kintzler locked down his National League leading 12th save in a win over the New York Yankees, as the Marlins continue their surge in 2020.
Brandon Kintzler is a bulldog. He leads the NL with 12 saves, getting the last one by getting the AL’s leading hitter DJ LeMahieu to hit into a game-ending double play. Kintzler just might be the MVP of the Marlins.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) September 26, 2020
Starting the year as the closer on a team predicted to finish near the bottom of the National League East wasn’t supposed to garner Kintzler any attention.
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Entering this year, the right hander had only parts of two years as closer on his resume. They came in 2016 and 2017 as a member of the Minnesota Twins. While he did garner an All-Star selection for his troubles, in a sense his troubles were just beginning.
He was traded midway through the 2017 season to the Washington Nationals and slid into a set up role. The following season he occupied the same position, and even though he didn’t offer stellar results, he was a trustworthy pitcher.
On the field.
The Nationals fell out of the playoff picture and allegedly used Brandon Kintzler as a scapegoat. As the trade deadline came many perceived Washington would be buyers. They held pat, aside from trading Kintzler to the Chicago Cubs.
Then word dropped Kintzler was assumed to be an anonymous source spreading vile to the press.
Chicago thought they were adding a key piece to their bullpen, though in fact, they added a guy who would have an ERA of 7.00 for the remainder of the year.
Kicked out of one clubhouse, and struggling to provide possibly results on another team, this could have been the beginning of a vagabond end to his career.
Instead, he signed with the Miami Marlins and has helped solidify the back end of the bullpen for a team headed to the playoffs. He has 12 saves and a 2.31 ERA.
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For his efforts, I think the Miami Marlins will be happy to pick up his team option for next year. Brandon Kintzler is back, baby.