BoSox Injection
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Ranking the Red Sox bullpen from least to most trustworthy

By Brendan Mizgala

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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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 07: Starting pitcher Hector Velazquez #76 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on April 07, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The Untouchables

As I said before these are the guys that when I see them come into the game I begin to get the sweats. Not because they’re bad pitchers in the grand scheme but because I just can’t find enough faith to trust them.

Hector Velazquez: Hector is making his return to the team today after being on the Injured List. Coming into this season he was carrying a 10-3 record with 72 strikeouts. This season hasn’t been as strong for Velazquez as he is carrying a 1-3 record and a 5.97 ERA. The big positive for Hector is that he has 32K in just 34.2IP.

But it’s been the up and down of his appearances that have me on the fence with trusting him. Now that he’s back to the active roster I’m sure that Alex Cora will be ready to use the righty again.

Josh Taylor: This one is based purely on the numbers with a dash of the unknown. Taylor only has 6.1IP under his belt this season but has a whopping 8.53 ERA. Not 6 runs in 6.1IP is just not a good time. This is the main reason that I have him in “The Untouchables,” he just hasn’t shown me any reason that I should trust him.

There’s always time and Taylor can always turn those numbers around but the poor start doesn’t give me any confidence.  Hopefully, he turns things around and can become a viable member of the relief efforts.

Colten Brewer: Brewer came to the Red Sox via a trade with the Padres this winter and has 30IP under his belt this season. In those innings, he is touting a 4.50 ERA and a 1-2 record. Not the best season so far but Brewer is still young at only 26 years old.

A big thing that has given me hope for Brewer so far this season is the fact he’s often called upon when runners are already on the base paths. He has inherited 14 runners so far this season and 11 haven’t seen home plate. That’s a hell of a stat and confidence boost knowing that you can stop momentum cold like that.

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