As evidenced by their 5-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on June 19, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a Craig Kimbrel problem.

After splitting the first two games, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Guardians faced off on June 19 to win the three-game series. The score was knotted going into the ninth inning, so the Dodgers turned to reliever Craig Kimbrel to keep the game alive.

That did not happen, as he gave up two runs on three hits and walked two batters in a 5-3 loss to the Dodgers. As a result, the Dodgers now have a problem with Kimbrel, especially when looking at his last 12 innings pitched figures.

Craig Kimbrel is a concern for the Dodgers

During that time, 10 earned runs and 24 baserunners were permitted. This is also when he picked up all three of his losses for the season.

Despite his recent troubles, manager Dave Roberts believes Kimbrel is still the team’s closer.

This isn’t ideal for the Dodgers, who parted ways with Kenley Jansen in the offseason. Before the start of the season, the Dodgers got the veteran closer from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for outfielder AJ Pollock.

Kimbrel has a 4.71 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 33 strikeouts, and 11 walks in 21.0 innings pitched this season.

Kimbrel still has a lot of seasons left to break out of his funk. However, the Dodgers will have stiff competition in the NL West from the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants for first place.

If nothing changes soon, the Dodgers will have to make a decision about Kimbrel.