Bubic picked up the save Sunday against Atlanta, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout across a scoreless ninth inning.
The Royals opted for Bubic in the ninth inning, giving regular closer Lucas Erceg extra rest ahead of the playoffs. Bubic capitalized with his first save of 2024. Erceg hasn't pitched since Thursday, though that outing was his third in as many days. Bubic should see high-leverage work in the postseason, but save opportunities are still expected to go to Erceg.
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Royals' Kris Bubic: Secures first win
Rotowire
Bubic (1-1) allowed a hit and struck out two over a scoreless inning to earn the win Thursday over the Nationals.
Bubic has limited opponents to two unearned runs over his last 10 innings while posting a 15:2 K:BB in that span. He kept Thursday's game tied at 4-4 in the eighth inning before the Royals surged ahead in the ninth. Bubic has a 2.76 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 38:5 K:BB over 29.1 innings while adding seven holds this season. He's handled the transition from starter to reliever well and should be part of the Royals' high-leverage mix if they make the postseason.
Bubic (0-1) took the extra-innings loss and a blown save versus the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing two unearned runs on one hit and one walk over 1.1 innings.
Bubic gave up a game-tying sacrifice fly in the 10th inning and then surrendered a walk-off single to Jazz Chisholm in the 11th. The initial runner scored both times, so this outing won't hurt Bubic's ERA, which stands at 3.42 on the year. He's added a 1.14 WHIP and 29:4 K:BB through 23.2 innings, and his impressive control has earned him the opportunity to pitch in high-leverage situations recently. He's added six holds this year, though he also has three blown saves.
Bubic struck out one over a perfect inning to earn his sixth hold of the year in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Twins.
While he's allowed six runs on 13 hits over his last nine innings, Bubic has more frequently received high-leverage assignments. In that same span, he has five holds and a blown save while adding 11 strikeouts. The southpaw is now at a 3.80 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 27:3 K:BB through 21.1 innings this year, working exclusively out of the bullpen following his return from Tommy John surgery in April of 2023. While he's seen more setup work, Bubic shouldn't be considered a threat to Lucas Erceg as the Royals' closer.
