Who should close going forward?

[TylerD]

Let’s get this discussion going

 

I say Whitlock.

[Nick]

Not Barnes....he needs to go on a 10 day sick leave.

 

He has said that fatigue factors into his mechanics being out of whack. He needs rest. That's what he's told us. Cora should listen to him.

[TylerD]

Agreed completely. He’s toast right now and is getting worse by the day. He needs

Some much needed time off.

[illinoisredsox]

Not Barnes....he needs to go on a 10 day sick leave.

 

He has said that fatigue factors into his mechanics being out of whack. He needs rest. That's what he's told us. Cora should listen to him.

 

Bull.

 

Tonight was his 9the appearance in August, totaling 5 1/3 innings. He had 8 appearances in July for 8 innings (plus 1 inning in the ASG).

 

His days of rest this month have been 6, 2 (before the doubleheader with Toronto where he pitched in both games), 0, 1, 4, 4, 2 and 0.

 

He was pitching fine until that doubleheader.

 

It's in his head; he's lost confidence, which is disaster for a reliever, especially a closer.

[illinoisredsox]

Let’s get this discussion going

 

I say Whitlock.

 

Won't be Whitlock, at least on any regular basis. He's doing very well in the role he has right now and since he figures to be a part of the rotation next year, best to keep his confidence high. They'll keep him on that twice a week schedule and if he's in line for a multi-inning save, they'll let him finish. I don't think they will risk his arm doing every day type duty.

 

My guess is Robles and Taylor will get looks. Robles has done the job before, as his 10 saves with the Twins this season attest. Taylor may get a look depending on matchups. Ottavino may also factor in;

again, he's done the job at times this year and he seems to have at least righted his ship a little.

[moonslav59]

I’d try Taylor.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I’d try Taylor.

 

How close is a return by Brasier? Didn't Cora appoint him closer the first month of '19?

[notin]

Robles.

 

He has 38 career saves and was closing for the Angels earlier this year.

 

And for all the getting about this guy not bring an A list reliever, in his last 6 outings with Boston, Robles has an ERA of 0.00, an OPSA of .548, and has stranded 5 of 6 inherited runners…

[Bellhorn04]

Robles.

 

He has 38 career saves and was closing for the Angels earlier this year.

 

And for all the getting about this guy not bring an A list reliever, in his last 6 outings with Boston, Robles has an ERA of 0.00, an OPSA of .548, and has stranded 5 of 6 inherited runners…

 

Sure, give him a shot.

[Maxbialystock]

Robles.

 

He has 38 career saves and was closing for the Angels earlier this year.

 

And for all the getting about this guy not bring an A list reliever, in his last 6 outings with Boston, Robles has an ERA of 0.00, an OPSA of .548, and has stranded 5 of 6 inherited runners…

 

You got heat and decent command, you got a job--and closer potential.

[mvp 78]

Bull.

 

Tonight was his 9the appearance in August, totaling 5 1/3 innings. He had 8 appearances in July for 8 innings (plus 1 inning in the ASG).

 

His days of rest this month have been 6, 2 (before the doubleheader with Toronto where he pitched in both games), 0, 1, 4, 4, 2 and 0.

 

He was pitching fine until that doubleheader.

 

It's in his head; he's lost confidence, which is disaster for a reliever, especially a closer.

 

Because of last year's shortened season, there's been an assumption that more pitchers would break down this year (seems to have happened) and that some would run out of gas early (maybe happening with Barnes). Just because you don't think he should be tired, doesn't mean he's NOT tired.

[mvp 78]

Sure, give him a shot.

 

I hate to say it, but he can't be worse than Barnes right now. I think Barnes should be given a rest and only thrown out there in low leverage situations.

[notin]

Because of last year's shortened season, there's been an assumption that more pitchers would break down this year (seems to have happened) and that some would run out of gas early (maybe happening with Barnes). Just because you don't think he should be tired, doesn't mean he's NOT tired.

 

I have always postulated that fatigue (along with wear and tear) is a bigger factor for pitchers than anything psychological when it comes to these types of slumps. Just because no one is reporting any injuries on Barnes also doesn't mean he feels the same way he did in April...

[mvp 78]

I have always postulated that fatigue (along with wear and tear) is a bigger factor for pitchers than anything psychological when it comes to these types of slumps. Just because no one is reporting any injuries on Barnes also doesn't mean he feels the same way he did in April...

 

Queue the annoying poster: But Old Hoss Radbourn averaged 412 innings per year, Barnes can't even throw a fifth of that and gets paid millions to play a kids game!

 

Radbourn's 1884 season: 9.5 fWAR, 678.2 Innings, 59-12,75 G, 73 GS, 73 CG, 1 SV, 441K, 98BB, 1.38 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 48 ERA-

[mvp 78]

162 games is too many games. Make the season 150 with more days off.

[TylerD]

Robles.

 

He has 38 career saves and was closing for the Angels earlier this year.

 

And for all the getting about this guy not bring an A list reliever, in his last 6 outings with Boston, Robles has an ERA of 0.00, an OPSA of .548, and has stranded 5 of 6 inherited runners…

 

I would be fine with Robles! He looked excellent out side of his changeup

[mvp 78]

The problem with Robles:

 

1. bottom 3% in barrels

2. bottom 4% in exit velo

3. bottom 1% in hard hit

4. he has a tendency to tee up his 4 seamer and his changeup

5. his best pitch per advanced metrics is his slider, but he hasn't used it much this year and it only functions well because he barely uses it

 

On the brighter side:

 

1. aside from his back to back meltdown on 8/5 and 8/6, he's gone 8 IP, 0ER, 5H, 7BB, 11K

2. his fastball velo is 92nd percentile

[moonslav59]

I would be fine with Robles! He looked excellent out side of his changeup

 

Decisions based on one game are usually wrong ones.

 

With this choice, it seems like all the answers are wrong, so Robles is a valid choice.

 

I'd try Taylor, first.

[TylerD]

The problem with Robles:

 

1. bottom 3% in barrels

2. bottom 4% in exit velo

3. bottom 1% in hard hit

4. he has a tendency to tee up his 4 seamer and his changeup

5. his best pitch per advanced metrics is his slider, but he hasn't used it much this year and it only functions well because he barely uses it

 

On the brighter side:

 

1. aside from his back to back meltdown on 8/5 and 8/6, he's gone 8 IP, 0ER, 5H, 7BB, 11K

2. his fastball velo is 92nd percentile

 

Hmmmmm concerning a bit.

[TylerD]

Decisions based on one game are usually wrong ones.

 

With this choice, it seems like all the answers are wrong, so Robles is a valid choice.

 

I'd try Taylor, first.

 

True. I’m just not sure who else to try. Ottavino is still too inconsistent for me, same goes with Hernandez, Whitlock is our specialty guy uses in multiple innings. So it’s either Taylor or Robles. Valdez also started sucking and I wouldn’t trust him. We unfortunately just don’t have too many options at this point.

 

Maybe Robles and Taylor both get games and see who is the better of the two.

[mvp 78]

Decisions based on one game are usually wrong ones.

 

With this choice, it seems like all the answers are wrong, so Robles is a valid choice.

 

I'd try Taylor, first.

 

Josh Taylor's last 5 appearances:

 

2.1 IP, 14TBF, 4H, 3BB, 1K, 2ER, 3.04WHIP, 7.71 ERA

[TylerD]

Josh Taylor's last 5 appearances:

 

2.1 IP, 14TBF, 4H, 3BB, 1K, 2ER, 3.04WHIP, 7.71 ERA

 

Ugh man this is depressing I have no idea who should get the job. That’s ugly stats too lol, not sure how Taylor would handle the stress of a closing situation.

[mvp 78]

Austin Davis last 5:

 

4IP, 16TBF, 3H, 2BB, 5K, 2ER, 1.25WHIP, 4.50 ERA

[mvp 78]

Sawamura last 5:

 

3.1IP, 16TBF, 4H, 2BB, 4K, 2ER, 1.82WHIP, 5.40 ERA

[mvp 78]

Ottavino last 5:

 

4.1IP, 22TBF, 4H, 6BB, 1K, 1ER, 2.32WHIP, 2.08 ERA

[iortiz]

Bull.

 

Tonight was his 9the appearance in August, totaling 5 1/3 innings. He had 8 appearances in July for 8 innings (plus 1 inning in the ASG).

 

His days of rest this month have been 6, 2 (before the doubleheader with Toronto where he pitched in both games), 0, 1, 4, 4, 2 and 0.

 

He was pitching fine until that doubleheader.

 

It's in his head; he's lost confidence, which is disaster for a reliever, especially a closer.

 

People will tell you that handle pressure is not a skill lol

[mvp 78]

Richards since going to the pen (3G):

 

8IP, 31TBF, 6H, 1BB, 10K, 1ER, 0.87WHIP, 1.13 ERA

[mvp 78]

Perez last 5:

 

4.1IP, 23TBF, 8H, 0BB, 5K, 4ER, 1.86WHIP, 8.31 ERA

[mvp 78]

Whitlock last 5:

 

8.1IP, 37TBF, 7H, 4BB, 14K, 4ER, 1.32 WHIP, 4.32 ERA

[moonslav59]

Josh Taylor's last 5 appearances:

 

2.1 IP, 14TBF, 4H, 3BB, 1K, 2ER, 3.04WHIP, 7.71 ERA

 

He is due to regress to the norm... lol.