Red Sox Strut: Jackie Bradley heats up, Drew Pomeranz in a groove
By Sean Penney
Pitching Candidates
David Price is back in the rotation and made it through a couple of starts with his arm intact. That alone is something to Strut about. After mixed results in his debut, Price came back to toss seven innings on Saturday, limiting the Orioles to one run on three hits to earn his first win of the season. He’s now 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 0.67 WHIP. It took nearly two months for Price to join the rotation but it was worth the wait.
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Heath Hembree delivered 3 1/3 shutout innings out of the bullpen and continues to be the team’s top choice to handle multiple innings in middle relief. He recorded at least four outs in both appearances last week, which he’s now done eight times this season. Hembree’s 3.58 ERA remains well above last year’s breakout season. However, his strikeout and walk rates have both improved. His biggest problem is that he allows far too many hits, which is no fluke given his track record.
The Red Sox bullpen had a great week, collectively making them a candidate. Every reliever used last week posted an ERA no higher than Craig Kimbrel‘s 2.45 while giving up one run or less. Except for Matt Barnes, who gave up two runs in three innings. If Bostons’ bullpen ever gets healthy then you have to wonder if Barnes is heading for mop-up duty.