KC Royals: Greg Holland Or Wade Davis
By Alec Tilson
The Kansas City Royals bullpen has long been a strength of the team, but it hasn’t been perfect this season.
KC Royals closer Greg Holland gave up two ninth-inning runs to the Baltimore Orioles yesterday in a non-save situation. It was the first runs he’s allowed since August 13, but with reliever Wade Davis pitching at the highest level in baseball, the Royals’ closer debate rolls on.
Holland or Davis? Davis or Holland? The bottom line is: it doesn’t matter.
The closer title is cool and all, and it’s definitely no easy job. Few pitchers are cut out to pitch in that environment. But as far as the 2015 KC Royals, and Holland and Davis especially, it’s not that important who carries the title.
Most concerning, Holland has walked more batters already this season than he did all of last year, and his K-rate is the lowest it’s been since the Royals called him up in 2010.
The job is the same for both guys. Make pitches. Get outs. In the eight and ninth innings, they’re all huge, high-pressure outs.
While Davis has certainly been the better pitcher this season, it’s not a competition between the two. It’s not a status thing, or a contentious situation like it might be on another team in a different situation. Holland is unquestionably a leader in the bullpen. If he’s moved out of the closer role, that won’t change.
Both guys want the same thing – and neither strike me as the self-absorbed type.
With 13 fewer losses than the second-place Minnesota Twins, time is on the Royals’ side as they figure out who the closer is for the second, more important season in October.
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There’s no denying Holland has been a different pitcher this year.
The Kansas City Star reported he’s dealing with a ‘cranky’ arm. That’s what many have speculated all season as Holland seems to be working without his best stuff.
His average fastball velocity is down from about 96 MPH last season to about 94 MPH this season, according to FanGraphs.com. It’s getting hit more often and it’s taking away from his slider that’s been so reliable.
He’s blown four saves. Twice he’s allowed three earned runs without recording an out. Most concerning, Holland has walked more batters already this season than he did all of last year, and his K-rate is the lowest it’s been since the Royals called him up in 2010.
Meanwhile, Davis might be the toughest reliever in baseball.
He’s bigger than Holland, he throws harder, his cutter has closer written all over it. In 53 2/3 innings this season, he owns a 1.01 ERA, 12 saves and 16 Holds. Since July 1st, he’s posted a 22/3 K/BB rate.
He’s the truth, and he’s the best reliever on the KC Royals’ roster.
Should Davis be the closer? On paper, sure. No one would sneeze at that.
But is Holland as closer costing the Royals games? Does he make the Royals a worse team tomorrow if he’s closing games? I’d argue no. He’s 28-for-32 in save situations. He’s got closer qualities: smart, focused, consistent . He carries himself like a closer.
The Royals have 30 some-odd games remaining. Give Holland every opportunity to return to form in the next three weeks. If he doesn’t prove that he can be trusted in the ninth inning, then Davis should take the closer role come the playoffs.