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Red Sox: Grading the first 50 games

By Rick McNair

Apr 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of Fenway Park during the fifth inning of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of Fenway Park during the fifth inning of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 30, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) pitches during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel (46) pitches during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

BULLPEN

The second part of the balancing of the pitching equation is the bullpen that is now ranked fifth in the AL. As frustrated as I can be with Heath Hembree and Matt Barnes the simple pitching fact is they get the job done. It may not be a pitching Picasso performance, but they are not Heathcliff Slocumb redux.

What happened to Fernando Abad? Suddenly and inexplicably Abad has performed as was expected when brought over from the Twins. Toss in Joe Kelly and Robby Scott and you have a solid, but not up in lights bunch – for up in lights you have Craig Kimbrell. In 2016 that 5.09 BB/9 gave me heart palpitations when he wandered in from the bullpen – no more.

The Red Sox managed to accomplish this without the two key ingredients – like baking a cake without flour and eggs – Carson Smith and Tyler Thornburg. At the current rate of their recovery, I expect them on the roster by the time the next ice age rolls around.

First 50 Grade – B

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