Ranking the Red Sox bullpen from least to most trustworthy

BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 23: Brandon Workman #44 of the Boston Red Sox pitches to a Boston Red Sox batter in the eighth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 23: Brandon Workman #44 of the Boston Red Sox pitches to a Boston Red Sox batter in the eighth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 1: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox exits the bullpen before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park on August 1, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Boston Red Sox bullpen has been a point of contention among fans this season. Looking at the roster there is a clear separation based on reliability.

The Red Sox are currently sitting in third place behind the Yankees and the Rays. With just 5.5 games separating them from the top of the mountain, one topic has consistently been on the tongues of the fans, the bullpen.

Currently, the Red Sox pen own 12 blown saves this season which as we know is a giant number compared to the GB column. We could be looking at an entirely different season had it not been for the blown saves. For what it’s worth the team only had 20 in all of last season, but that’s kind of how 2019 is going these days.

So, after today’s roster moves the Sox are currently carrying eight relief pitchers in the active bullpen. They’ve all had varying levels of success throughout this season and there are definitely varying levels of trust when it comes to certain pitchers. Looking at the arms in the pen going into this Minnesota series I’ve placed the relievers into three categories:

  • The Untouchables – I have little to no faith when they take the mound
  • This Could Be Ok – just as it sounds, this could really go either way
  • Search and Rescue – These are the guys that I have full faith in no matter the scenario

Schedule