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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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BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Matt Barnes #32 of the Boston Red Sox delivers the pitch during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Search and Rescue

This is the group of guys that I trust with my baseball life. No matter what the game scenario is this is the squad I’m calling on from the bullpen.

Heath Hembree: Yes I know, I said I would only be ranking the eight active pitchers but when I was looking at the bullpen it was impossible to ignore Hembree. Heath has been a member of the Red Sox since 2014 and has really come into his own this year. He’s sporting a cool 2.51 ERA over 28.2IP.

In his last few appearances, Hembree has just been a stone-cold killer with ice in his veins. He was recently added to the IL with some right elbow discomfort. Hopefully for the Red Sox when he is available to return he will still have the electricity he had before the injury.

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Brandon Workman: This guy has been the most reliable pitcher in the Red Sox bullpen. He’s already on target to crush his season high for games (43) and is doing so with ease. His K/BB ratio isn’t the prettiest 46/22 but he has a 1.60 ERA which is far more important. He’s also stranded 6 of the 7 inherited runners he’s been given.

Workman has more than earned his spot in the upper echelon of the Boston bullpen this season. He isn’t perfect though as he does have 2 blown saves but that number is erased as he also has 2 saves and a 5-1 record. He is 100% a guy I trust if things are close are about to hit the fan.

Matt Barnes: Barnes is much like Brasier in that we thought he may be named the closer for this season. He has an electric fastball and a curveball that will buckle the knees. He has struck out 54 batters while only walking 13 and is posting a 3.38 ERA in 29.1IP. He started the year by dominating anyone and everyone that stepped to him but has some blemishes as of late.

Though he has a 3-1 record, he is 4-4 in save opportunities on the year. He’s also stranded 6/7 of the runners he’s inherited in 2019. Barnes is a guy even with the setbacks I fully trust to take the baseball when the game is on the line. His upside far outweighs any shortcomings that he may have.

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