Cubs: Three takeaways from this weekend’s series against the Pirates

Cubs get a pair of lockdown performances from closer Craig Kimbrel

Two outings, six outs recorded – five via the strikeout. Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel turned back the clock and looked like the guy who seemed destined for Cooperstown a few years back this weekend.

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He mixed a mid-to-upper 90s fastball with a knee-buckling curve ball, closing out Saturday’s win in a non-save situation and then slamming the door on Sunday, as well. Kimbrel didn’t walk a batter or allow a hit in his two appearances – and I have to say, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him this sharp in a Cubs uniform.

"“He’s on the attack,” Ross said. “I don’t know if there’s any big turning point. I think he had a really good season last year outside of a couple outings.”"

Kimbrel finished 2020 with an impressive scoreless streak. But after struggling badly in his first few Cactus League appearances this year, most of us were ready to call that run a fluke and expect more of the same from the veteran right-hander.

Instead, we got a pleasant surprise in this weekend’s opening series. Kimbrel looked like the guy we’d all hoped for when Chicago inked him to a three-year deal back in 2019: a legitimate shutdown presence at the back end of ballgames.