The Pen

[Bellhorn04]

I think the closer should be used in the late innings to pitch to the best hitters on the opposing team, even if its not the ninth inning.

 

Alright, Fred. You are a modern thinker.

[mvp 78]

@redsoxstats

 

Once it gets to a 2-strike count Barnes, Hembree, Workman, Walden are executioners. They rank 4th, 10th, 17th, 21st out of 175 relievers in putting away batters via strikeout. Barnes has thrown 106 2-strike pitches and has 36 strikeouts, only Stephenson, Giles, Buttrey better.

[notin]

Another scene from last night in MLB . The Braves took a 3 - 1 lead into the bottom of the ninth in San Fran . The immortal Luke Jackson promptly gave up three runs and the ballgame . This has happened a lot . Closing ain't easy . Even though some refuse to see it .

 

So which immortal pitcher in that Braves bullpen are they misusing in order to let Luke Jackson get saves? The main reason the Braves regular closer was not in for that game is that he’s been injured all year (and his contract was recently traded to Seattle).

 

You’re highlighting examples from teams that have weak and overused bullpens...

[vegasbob]

@redsoxstats

 

Once it gets to a 2-strike count Barnes, Hembree, Workman, Walden are executioners. They rank 4th, 10th, 17th, 21st out of 175 relievers in putting away batters via strikeout. Barnes has thrown 106 2-strike pitches and has 36 strikeouts, only Stephenson, Giles, Buttrey better.

 

The strikeouts from a 2 strike count sound excellent. Does the source show the BABIP when a 2 strike count is on ? Also the BABIP with 2 outs, regardless of count ? I imagine it's only anticipation of the Red Sox win but the gut feel is there are 2 strike and 2 out hits , just wondering how those compare to MLB rankings. Hope they are similar to the K rate rankings.

[mvp 78]

The strikeouts from a 2 strike count sound excellent. Does the source show the BABIP when a 2 strike count is on ? Also the BABIP with 2 outs, regardless of count ? I imagine it's only anticipation of the Red Sox win but the gut feel is there are 2 strike and 2 out hits , just wondering how those compare to MLB rankings. Hope they are similar to the K rate rankings.

 

It's the Sox branded "stats account" on Twitter. They don't ever get into much detail.

[Kimmi]

I think the closer should be used in the late innings to pitch to the best hitters on the opposing team, even if its not the ninth inning.

 

The true 'save' situation does not always occur in the 9th inning. Sometimes, the game has to be saved in the 7th or 8th innings.

[Kimmi]

Arbitration is all about historical values. Relievers with great peripherals yet no counting stats get whalloped in the committee. When Betances went before the arb panel and asked for $5 mil in his first season, the Yankees won the arb case by successfully noting that he wasn't a closer and didn't have the save totals

 

It's time to move away from 'historical values'. Basing a reliever's salary on the number of saves he has is rather archaic.

[Kimmi]

Christopher Smith‏Verified account @SmittyOnMLB 20m20 minutes ago

 

The Red Sox are 20-1 when leading after eight innings. Barnes, Workman, Brasier, Walden and Hembree, the 5 relievers who Cora uses in high-leverage situations, have allowed four runs in 20.1 innings (1.77 ERA), 14 hits and five walks (0.93 WHIP) while striking out 26.

[moonslav59]

Christopher Smith‏Verified account @SmittyOnMLB 20m20 minutes ago

 

The Red Sox are 20-1 when leading after eight innings. Barnes, Workman, Brasier, Walden and Hembree, the 5 relievers who Cora uses in high-leverage situations, have allowed four runs in 20.1 innings (1.77 ERA), 14 hits and five walks (0.93 WHIP) while striking out 26.

 

They've done a fine job, but I'd still like to see us acquire a pen gem before the season is over.

 

[a700hitter]

Christopher Smith‏Verified account @SmittyOnMLB 20m20 minutes ago

 

The Red Sox are 20-1 when leading after eight innings. Barnes, Workman, Brasier, Walden and Hembree, the 5 relievers who Cora uses in high-leverage situations, have allowed four runs in 20.1 innings (1.77 ERA), 14 hits and five walks (0.93 WHIP) while striking out 26.

Hembree can be good in short spurts, but that will not last. Marcus Walden is a nobody. I’d be happy if he could be a useful spare arm to be used in the 6th inning or in blowouts. Using him consistently in high leverage situations will not end well. The other 3 are just not high enough quality to be the top 3 BP guys. The BP lacks a dominant option.

[mvp 78]

Barnes is dominant.

[notin]

Oakland DFAd Fernando Rodney.

 

Never been a big fan of Sir Walk-A-Lot. But DD has.

 

Rodney has been horrendous this year, but it’s only been 14 innings and he was decent as recently as last year.

 

If Rodney’s career isn’t over, Boston is certainly a likely landing spot...

[vegasbob]

Oakland DFAd Fernando Rodney.

 

Never been a big fan of Sir Walk-A-Lot. But DD has.

 

Rodney has been horrendous this year, but it’s only been 14 innings and he was decent as recently as last year.

 

If Rodney’s career isn’t over, Boston is certainly a likely landing spot...

 

Fernando Tilt-A-Cap shows up in Boston ?? I would trade myself to Oakland. He is a dumpster fire waiting to ignite, and no added strength to our BP.

[notin]

Fernando Tilt-A-Cap shows up in Boston ?? I would trade myself to Oakland. He is a dumpster fire waiting to ignite, and no added strength to our BP.

 

Hey I’m not a GM who liked him. I’m just reminding you of one team that has one...

[Bellhorn04]

Hey I’m not a GM who liked him. I’m just reminding you of one team that has one...

 

Liking a guy at 32 is a little different from liking a guy at 42.

[notin]

Liking a guy at 32 is a little different from liking a guy at 42.

 

I’m certainly not saying the Sox will sign/claim/trade for Rodney, but the Sox were linked to him as recently as last year...

[Kimmi]

They've done a fine job, but I'd still like to see us acquire a pen gem before the season is over.

 

 

Hembree can be good in short spurts, but that will not last. Marcus Walden is a nobody. I’d be happy if he could be a useful spare arm to be used in the 6th inning or in blowouts. Using him consistently in high leverage situations will not end well. The other 3 are just not high enough quality to be the top 3 BP guys. The BP lacks a dominant option.

 

We will likely need to add an arm or two to the pen before at the deadline. I just don't agree that we need to add the big money, superstar closer type.

[Kimmi]

Barnes is dominant.

 

He's been pretty darn good.

 

Dude gets no love.

[Kimmi]

I’m certainly not saying the Sox will sign/claim/trade for Rodney, but the Sox were linked to him as recently as last year...

 

Fernando Rodney or Jenrry Mejia? Tough choice.

[a700hitter]

Maybe we can add Keuchel and use Eovaldi as a closer.

[a700hitter]

Something has to be done with out pen. Right now it is a pack of pigs.

[notin]

Something has to be done with out pen. Right now it is a pack of pigs.

 

Dombrowski’s “I can build that bullpen for less dollars” strategy might not be so perfect...

[notin]

Fernando Rodney or Jenrry Mejia? Tough choice.

 

Add them both. One is available to everyone and we already have the other...

[a700hitter]

Add them both. One is available to everyone and we already have the other...

Yep, add them both.

[YastrzemskI]

The Pen? You mean Barnes?? Because I don’t trust anyone outside of Matt at this point. They pitched like a group of scared little leaguers tonight. Worst loss of the season so far.

[Swiharts Ghost]

Workman needs to be in leverage situations if all we have is him and Barnes .Why are we in this position Dave ? How did this happen Dave ? Break open the damn checkbook TONIGHT !!!!! Dave offer Craig 3 years at 42 with a team option year and bonus incentives to escalate to 60 if met i.e.Allstar games etc.Just do it we all understand why you tried the cheap route .we are not a cheap state a cheap fan base or a cheaply constructed team .Quit acting like we are the Reds . Edited May 29, 2019 by Swiharts Ghost

[RedSoxGrl]

The Pen? You mean Barnes?? Because I don’t trust anyone outside of Matt at this point. They pitched like a group of scared little leaguers tonight. Worst loss of the season so far.

 

If last night’s game doesn’t get Dave’s attention, nothing will. I agree 100% about Barnes. He’s been very good.

[oldtimer]

Pretty sad for the pen to give the game away last night. No leaqd was safe.

[jacksonianmarch]

I thought the 9th inning was just another inning, lol! Barnes and Workman has already pitched by the time the 9th came around. Brasier was outmatched by the hitting prowess of Roberto Perez and Greg Allen. Lakins couldn’t throw a strike.

 

Interestingly, Brasier is only 6 of 9 in save situations this year, yet he’s getting the majority of the chances. Maybe the Sox acquire a closer. Maybe they move Barnes to closer. Not sure what the answer is there, but everyone knew the Sox pen would be an issue coming into the year and lately it’s become one. You’re just lucky that the pen had been solid for two months

[BowSox07]

The pen frustrates me to no end, they did all last year too, and somehow we won 119 games. More frustrating is the offense doesn't seem to show up during quality starts. Sale throws 17 Ks and gets no help, he's had a few other games this year that he should've won if there had been run support. So we really can't blame the Ls on just the pen. The whole team needs a kick in the ass it seems. I like the line from Bull Durham, "They're kids, scare 'em." This weekend will be telling. Must win tonight, and then 3-4 this weekend. The Yankees have played a very weak schedule thus far this season, it's easy to be in first when you're playing the Orioles every other night. They're going to come back, and we just need to keep plugging along. The pen needs to be great this weekend, no doubt, but the rest of the boys need to show up too. Jump on 'em early and often!