Boston Red Sox Report Cards: Right-handed reliever Joe Kelly
The BoSox Injection team grades the 2018 season for each member of the Boston Red Sox. Up next is right-handed reliever Joe Kelly.
Few players embodied the drive of 2018 Boston Red Sox the way Joe Kelly did. Beginning with his April 11 beat-down of New York Yankee Tyler Austin, Kelly’s energy not only fueled his teammates but roused a sleeping, doubting fanbase as well. Mookie Betts undoubtedly added more value on the field, and J.D. Martinez supplied the fireworks, but Kelly’s attitude out of the gate let everyone know that this team was going to be tough as nails.
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As Kelly went this year, so went the Red Sox. During a stretch from the beginning of April through the end of May, Kelly proved virtually un-hittable and established himself as perhaps the best setup man in the game. Across that same period, the Red Sox mowed through their competition and emerged as the early favorites to win the World Series. Then, as the doldrums of summer rolled around, Kelly entered into a prolonged stretch of sub-par performances. As Kelly faded, the rest of the bullpen suddenly seemed more vulnerable as well, and a chink in the Red Sox armor appeared.
If anything could have derailed the Red Sox season, it would have been their bullpen. Overplayed by the media or not, it was undoubtedly the weakest part of the team, particularly with Kelly at less than the height of his powers. He showed signs of snapping out of his funk in August but regressed once more in September. It was impossible, at that point, to predict which version of Kelly would appear in October.
Postseason
Had the Kelly of June, July, and September showed up, there’s a good chance the Red Sox would not have even made it to the World Series, let alone have won it. Luckily, that wasn’t the case. Kelly was outstanding throughout the postseason, providing not only key, shutdown innings, but the emotional leadership that had propelled the Red Sox early in the year.
Kelly worked 11.1 innings in October and allowed just a single earned run and no walks while striking out 13. He pitched at least one inning in every game of the World Series and tossed two in Game 4 to keep the Los Angeles Dodgers from making a serious attempt at a comeback. After striking out the side in game five, Kelly let out a roar of raw emotion that perfectly encapsulated what he had meant to the Red Sox all season long.
On the year, Kelly finished with a 4.39 ERA and 68 strikeouts across 65.2 innings pitched, but his stats don’t tell the whole story. Yes, he struggled at times, but few players meant more, or came through in more big moments, than Kelly.
Grade
A-. . Relief Pitcher. . Joe Kelly
Kelly may not have always been perfect, but he was perfect when he needed to be. He was the leader of a maligned bullpen and brought his group together when there was no room for error. For his efforts on and off the mound, Kelly earns an A-.
Next. Boston Red Sox Report Cards: Right-Handed Pitcher Heath Hembree. dark
Looking Ahead to 2019
There’s a chance Kelly might not return to the Red Sox next year, but he probably will. He’s a fan favorite and the glue that holds the ‘pen together. He wants to stay in Boston, so it seems likely the two sides will get something done. If Craig Kimbrel signs elsewhere, Kelly is a candidate to take over the 9th inning.