Untimely Erik Miller IL stint may lead to SF Giants finding their true closer

The SF Giants got some tough news for the bullpen on Monday as left-handed reliever Erik Miller went on the IL with a back injury. It’s unfortunate because he is the team’s most viable option to close out games when healthy, but maybe in his absence the Giants can settle on a true closer.

Caleb Kilian certainly did well in the role last night. He entered the ninth inning with a two-run lead and even though he gave up a leadoff home run, he didn’t panic and retired the next three batters to record his first career save.

Kilian has been the team’s best reliever so far this season. He has a 1.13 ERA in 16 innings of work and has struck out 18 batters while walking eight. His increased velocity has made him a dangerous reliever and he has quickly moved up the bullpen pecking order. 

Giants have two good healthy options to close games right now

For now, Kilian is definitely the guy who should be closing out games. The Giants were largely going with Ryan Walker as their de facto closer so far this season but after using him in a high-leverage situation backfired one too many times it seems manager Tony Vitello has finally realized that Walker is just not cut out to be a regular ninth-inning guy.

Keaton Winn is another guy who could see some save opportunities for San Francisco in the next few weeks especially if Kilian needs a rest and isn’t available for a game. Winn has a 2.45 ERA in 15 appearances on the year with 13 strikeouts and five walks. 

It didn’t go great when he was on the mound with the game on the line in Philadelphia, but that probably had more to do with whoever told him to keep on throwing splitters to Kyle Schwarber. Winn has a 0.82 WHIP on the season and when he’s on with his fastball and splitter he can be lethal.

San Francisco’s bullpen ranks as one of the best in the big leagues with a collective 3.04 ERA. Still, since so many of their relievers are guys who aren’t fully trustworthy in high-leverage spots small leads don’t exactly feel safe.

Kilian and Winn should get a lot of opportunities the next few weeks with Miller on the shelf so maybe the Giants can find out who their best closer option is in that span. 

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