Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Blown saves are like flat tires. They happen from time to time and it stinks but it doesn’t mean the tire won’t continue to be reliable the next time out. That is the way I view blown saves even by the best of closers. The Kansas City Royals fell victim to one of those chance happenings against the Chicago White Sox on Monday. Greg Holland blew a save and it just so happened to be a big one. They went on to lose the game in extra innings and fell one game behind the idle Detroit Tigers.
Using the flat tire analogy, last night’s blown save was kind of like having a blowout in the middle of nowhere. It was just one of those things that happens but it cost the Royals a tie for first place with the Tigers. Holland is one of the best closers in the game. I don’t think for a second he will continue to struggle or even have more than three or four blown saves on the season. Last night was just a bad time for one after James Shields tossed eight blank innings.
Second guessing is always easy but taking Shields out for one of the game’s best closers is a move Ned Yost would make every time and if they prevail against the Tigers in the long run; Holland will be a key factor without a doubt. Going into tonight’s game the Royals need to focus on one area of improvement though.
They need to get their great pitching staff a few more runs. Grab a little insurance for those guys and a winning streak will appear out of nowhere. Winning streaks result in first place for good teams. There, now just score a few more runs and all will be back to the way it was. Glad I could be of service gentlemen.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.
