Red Sox Strut: The pen and Betts

Sep 26, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Craig Breslow (32) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Pitcher

Henry Owens was the Strut last week in the pitching department and could certainly get another nod this week after a 7.2 innings of shutout ball. Owens is looking like a foundation to build upon and may be a significant linchpin in the 2016 rotation.

The legend of Rich Hill continues to grow as the feel good story of late 2015 season. A classic reclamation project who spent part of 2015 in the lowly bushes of Indy ball. Picked up by the Red Sox, moved into the Pawtucket rotation and brought up to the big club for three scintillating starts including seven shutout innings against Baltimore. Hill is a Boston born player who just may earn a nice contract for 2016.

The big story and the big Strut goes to the bullpen. Yes – the bullpen! The bullpen that comes has been responsible for me investigating the possibility of a portable defibrillator. The statistical basement of reliever’s team stats in the American League including a negative WAR. So what happens?

The parade started with four shutout innings by Craig Breslow and then came Heath Hembree and Matt Barnes to contribute three more zeros on the board. Alexi Ogando hit a rough patch and left two on and one out for Tommy Layne. Layne got the dangerous Chris Davis and was replaced by Noe Ramirez who did his 0.1 inning duty. The shutout was finished off by an inning apiece by Jonathan Aro and the new closer Robbie Ross.

So the boys in the ‘pen get a well-deserved Strut after such a dismal season.

Red Sox Strut: The pen and Betts

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