Boston Red Sox at the one-third mark
By Rick McNair
Relief Pitching
The loss of Carson Smith increased the burden on a group for which Smith was designed to lessen the burden. The workload on Junichi Tazawa and Koji Uehara is key. Get both in the 55 game range and they are solid.
Craig Kimbrel has been the real deal. Yes, he will occasionally melt down and that happens, but when he is on he’s as good as it gets. A solid move to acquire such a talent. Robbie Ross and Tommy Layne have both had their games in the sun and in the shadows. Neither can be considered exceptional, but both are capable performers and Ross showed in 2015 he can close.
Heath Hembree and Matt Barnes have taken advantage of the bullpen opportunities and taken their careers to the next level. Both toss hard and can go multiple innings. Their performance can certainly neutralize or minimize the loss of Smith.
Boston will be in the hunt for reserves to help shore up the bullpen and it may internal depending on Pat Light continuing to make progress at Pawtucket. Light can certainly “bring it,” but some times what he brings is a series of walks. Otherwise expect Dombrowski to work the wire and bring in some additional help or maybe Buchholz will show his value out of the ‘pen?
Stats wise the bullpen is seventh in AL War at 1.6, but was 2.2 before Baltimore. Despite some bumps in the rotation relief innings slot in at seventh place, so wear and tear was not that dramatic, but it is a long season. FIP is sixth in the AL and ERA is eighth. The real downside is the ‘pen is under .500 at 7-10.
First Third Surprise: Barnes and Hembree (he will be back) becoming more reliable.
First Third Disappointment: Smith going flat line.
First Third Results: Good.
Second Third Prognosis: Good.