James Karinchak is struggling lately

Things have not been great for the Cleveland Baseball Club relief pitcher over the last 10 games.

At his best, James Karinchak is one of the most electric relief pitchers in all of baseball. Unfortunately for the Cleveland Baseball Club, Karinchak has not been at his best lately. Over the last 10 games he has blown two saves allowing nine runs on nine hits and walking five batters in just 8.1 innings. These numbers have led to a bloated 9.72 ERA during this span.

Opponents are slashing .333/.419/.667 with an OPS of 1.085 in 36 at-bats against James Karinchak. Six of the nine hits against the reliever have gone for extra-bases (three doubles, three home runs).

The last two outings for James Karinchak are the most alarming. In these two appearances Karinchak has allowed 5 runs on 5 hits with two walks and a HBP in just one third of an inning against the Chicago White Sox. In total Karinchak has faced nine batters in his past two outings and only recorded one out. While Chicago is a superior team,

James Karinchak has shown he is capable of pitching better against the White Sox. In his first four outings he allowed just one baserunner without allowing a run. The last four have been less than stellar. The White Sox have totaled 11 hits and 10 runs (nine earned) in 2.1 innings against Karinchak. The strikeouts totals have also dropped with eight in his first four appearances and just two over his last four.

Overall, James Karinchak has shown that is an effective relief pitcher for the Cleveland Baseball Club this season. In 49 appearances compiling a 3.74 ERA, 1.182 WHIP with a 13.8 K/9 even with the recent struggles. This could be just a bump in the road for the reliever and it is not out of the question he bounces back in a big way. At this moment this is just something to monitor, but if things continue to trend in this direction that is when genuine concern should become more of a reality.