For the third straight appearance, Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald was unable to convert a save opportunity in a 5-4 loss to the Braves. These outings haven’t had a significant impact on the team, as they’ve won six of their past 10 games, but losses like those eventually add up. While it’s too early for the Diamondbacks to make any changes for the closer role, it will become the central issue for the 2024 Diamondbacks if Sewald can’t lock down the ninth inning.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Earlier in the week, I wrote about how the lack of consistency in their rotation has undermined their season and prevented them from going on a winning streak. When the closer struggles, it very much has the same effect if not more damaging since there are fewer opportunities to catch up.
Being the closer is a tough role in any bullpen. Being the last line of defense in a ballgame is a pressure-packed environment where only a select few pitchers can thrive. If the closer fails, especially when the team plays just about a perfect eight innings, then the team is almost certain to lose. Because of the nature of the role, their struggles will be magnified and there will be external pressure to make changes that might not be for the better.
It’s the same reason why the team paid a heavy price, trading two players on their 40-man roster in Josh Rojas and Dominic Canzone and one of their top position player prospects in their farm system in Ryan Bliss, to acquire Sewald last July. He made the trade worthwhile in the season he was acquired, leading the charge to an unlikely run to the World Series.
It’s worth noting that Sewald got off to a hot start to the season. After allowing a low-leverage run in his first appearance, he had gone scoreless in his next 17. In his first 17 appearances with a lead, the Diamondbacks were 17-0 and Sewald was 11-for-11 in opportunities. Before his outing against the Dodgers on Tuesday, he was just about as perfect as you can get from the closer role.
While it would be easy for the Diamondbacks to overreact to Sewald’s recent struggles, there isn’t a candidate on the roster who serves as a potential replacement. Kevin Ginkel was tasked as the interim closer when Sewald missed the first 35 games of the seasonbut isn’t a likely long-term replacement. Justin Martinez, who may be the Diamondbacks closer in the future, lacks the experience necessary to handle that role if thrown in the deep end.
Manager Torey Lovullo was asked after the game if they plan to start having conversations about the closer role and he quickly shot that down, stating their concern was still minimal. Video of his answer was posted on X by PHNX Diamondbacks.
“We’re not ready to have that conversation yet. I’m not ready to make that decision. Paul’s been an unbelievable closer for us and he’ll continue to get the baseball.”
Torey Lovullo on the possibility of moving Paul Sewald out of the closer role:
“We’re not gonna start that conversation yet. I’m not ready to make that decision. Paul’s been an unbelievable closer for us, and he will continue to get the baseball.” pic.twitter.com/tkkhXJcuxF
— PHNX Diamondbacks (@PHNX_Dbacks) July 9, 2024
In reality, the best course of action is to stay on course and hope the struggles end soon. Short of acquiring another closer at the trade deadline, that’s the only course of action they can take.
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Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB
