60DMichael Kopech
RP LAD
Fri 8/16/24 11:44 PM

Kopech struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-6 win over the Cardinals.
EDGE Analysis
Kopech continues to excel with the Dodgers -- he's yet to give up a run over 8.1 innings with the team while posting a 13:1 K:BB in that span. Evan Phillips and Joe Kelly served as the bridge over the seventh and eighth innings before Kopech got the save opportunity, while Daniel Hudson didn't pitch after his blow-up versus the Brewers on Thursday. For the season, Kopech has 10 saves and five holds while pitching to a 3.98 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 72:25 K:BB through 52 innings between the Dodgers and the White Sox. The Dodgers' bullpen depth means it's unlikely Kopech is ever the clear-cut closer, but he should continue to get plenty of high-leverage chances.

60DMichael Kopech
RP LAD
Tue 8/13/24 1:34 PM

Kopech earned a hold against the Brewers on Monday, walking one batter and striking out two in a scoreless inning.
EDGE Analysis
Kopech handled the eighth frame and worked around a two-out walk to keep Milwaukee off the scoreboard. He earned his fourth hold in six appearances since joining the Dodgers on July 29. Kopech has yet to allow a run over 6.1 innings with his new team, and he's surrendered just one hit while posting a 10:1 K:BB. The righty reliever has quickly become Los Angeles' top setup man, but it's unclear if he'll get any save opportunities after working as the White Sox's closer for most of the season prior to being dealt.

60DMichael Kopech
RP LAD
Mon 7/29/24 2:16 PM

The Dodgers acquired Kopech, right-hander Oliver Gonzalez and utility player Tommy Edman (wrist) on Monday in the three-team trade involving the White Sox and Cardinals, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. The White Sox received infielder/outfielder Miguel Vargas, infielders Alexander Albertus (undisclosed) and Jeral Perez and a player to be named later or cash considerations, while the Cardinals acquired Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham and a player to be named later or cash considerations.
EDGE Analysis
Kopech has offered a mixed bag in a full-time move to relief in 2024, striking out 59 across 43.2 innings but also walking 24 and posting a 4.74 ERA. The Dodgers will hope to fix his control and home-run issues, and if they can, he has the potential to be a dominant late-inning weapon. Kopech is also under team control for 2025. John Brebbia should be the favorite for saves in the White Sox's bullpen for now, though he could also be traded ahead of Tuesday's deadline.

60DMichael Kopech
RP LAD
Wed 7/10/24 4:40 PM

Kopech earned the save in the opening game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Twins, striking out the side in a perfect ninth inning.
EDGE Analysis
Kopech struck out Brooks Lee, Matt Walner and Max Kepler on nine pitches, recording an immaculate inning while securing his ninth save this season. The 28-year-old Kopech has turned in consecutive scoreless appearances after giving up six runs in his previous 2.2 innings. While he can be dominant, as illustrated Wednesday, Kopech's struggled to find consistency in the ninth inning for the White Sox this year. Overall, his ERA sits at 5.18 with a 1.43 WHIP and 55:23 K:BB across 40 innings.

60DMichael Kopech
RP LAD
Sun 7/7/24 10:23 PM

Kopech (2-8) allowed four runs on two hits and two walks against Miami on Sunday. He was charged with a blown save and a loss.
EDGE Analysis
Kopech entered the ninth inning with a 4-3 lead but quickly gave it up on a Josh Bell RBI double. Two batters later, Jake Burger would crush a walk-off three-run homer. Kopech hadn't blown a save chance since June 13 but is now just 8 for 13 in opportunities this season. His ERA jumped to 5.45 with a 51:23 K:BB through 38 innings. John Brebbia could begin to push for more ninth-inning work; he threw a scoreless eighth inning Sunday and has given up just two runs over 16.1 frames since the start of June.

60DMichael Kopech
RP LAD
Sat 7/6/24 10:22 AM

Kopech gave up a run on two hits and a walk over 1.1 innings Friday to record his eighth save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Marlins. He struck out one.
EDGE Analysis
With two on and two outs in the ninth inning, Kopech gave up an RBI single to Bryan De La Cruz, but he then got Josh Bell to ground out to escape the jam. Kopech isn't exactly locked in right now, stumbling to a 6.91 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB over his last 14.1 innings while blowing three of six save chances, but the White Sox seem content to deploy him at the team's closer for now, perhaps in an effort to increase his trade value.

60DMichael Kopech
RP LAD
Wed 7/3/24 12:03 PM

Kopech (2-7) allowed one hit and one earned run across 0.2 innings and took the loss Tuesday against the Guardians.
EDGE Analysis
Kopech entered the game in the ninth inning with the score tied at 6-6. He allowed a leadoff single and threw a wild pitch to put the runner on third base before allowing a sacrifice fly to bring in the game-winning run for Cleveland. Kopech has each of the White Sox's last two saves and should remain the team's primary closer despite a 4.50 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 36 innings this season.

60DMichael Kopech
RP LAD
Sun 6/30/24 8:37 PM

Kopech struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Sunday against the Rockies.
EDGE Analysis
Kopech made his third appearance in four days after recording back-to-back saves June 27 and June 28. The right-hander delivered Sunday, retiring the side in order while striking out two batters on just eight pitches. The 28-year-old now owns a 2.25 ERA with two saves over his past eight innings, solidifying himself as the White Sox's closer.

60DMichael Kopech
RP LAD
Sat 6/29/24 12:20 AM

Kopech earned the save in Friday's 5-3 win over the Rockies, pitching a scoreless inning and working around a walk.
EDGE Analysis
The 28-year-old entered the ninth with a two-run lead and looked to immediately be in danger as he opened with six-pitch walk to Ryan McMahon. However, Kopech induced two consecutive groudouts, including one of the double-play variety, to escape with just his second save in June. The Chicago right-hander lowered his season ERA to 4.46 over 34.1 innings as he appears to have seized control of the closer's role over John Brebbia for the time being.

60DMichael Kopech
RP LAD
Fri 6/28/24 3:51 AM

Kopech struck out one while not allowing a hit or a walk during the ninth inning Thursday to pick up the save against Atlanta.
EDGE Analysis
A fielding error is all that prevented a 1-2-3 outing from Kopech, who collected his first save since May 15 after having blown his previous three opportunities. Kopech carries an impressive K/9 rate of 13.0, collecting 48 strikeouts over 33.1 innings. However, he's also allowed 48 batters to reach base (1.44 WHIP), including allowing 1.9 homers and 5.1 walks per nine innings. Kopech is a piece the White Sox will strongly consider selling at the trade deadline and will look for more performances like he provided Thursday to help them maximize the return they might get for him.