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Red Sox: 3 pitchers deserving of their first career All-Star selections

By Brendan Campbell

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 28: Matt Barnes #32 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the ninth inning of a game against the Kansas City Royals on June 28, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 28: Matt Barnes #32 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the ninth inning of a game against the Kansas City Royals on June 28, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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Red Sox closer Matt Barnes
May 16, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Matt Barnes (32) pitches during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Red Sox closer Matt Barnes

As the Red Sox’s surefire closer, Matt Barnes is an obvious candidate here.

Coming into play on Tuesday, the flame-throwing right-hander has posted a 2.73 ERA, and a .491 OPS against to go along with 54 strikeouts to just nine walks through his first 33 relief appearances (33 innings pitched) of the 2021 season. He has also converted 17 of a possible 20 save opportunities.

Among qualified American League relievers, Barnes ranks second in saves, third in strikeouts, first in strikeout percentage (43.9%), fourth in batting average against (.167), third in FIP (1.87), second in xFIP (2.08), second in SIERA (1.76), and first in fWAR (1.6), per FanGraphs.

The 31-year-old fireballer has done all this while ranking in the 99th percentile in expected weighted on-base average, the 99th percentile in expected ERA, the 99th percentile in expected batting average, the 96th percentile in expected slugging percentage, the 99th percentile in strikeout percentage, the 95th percentile in whiff percentage, and the 92nd percentile in chase rate, according to Baseball Savant.

To put it simply, Barnes has to this point put together a season worthy of All-Star consideration. Expect him to earn that honor for the first time in his big-league career this coming weekend.

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