The Red Sox bullpen is above league average in key categories
The Boston Red Sox bullpen was projected to be in the middle of the pack of all major league teams. Statistically, what they have been able to do to start off the season has shown a slight improvement to that middle of the pack grading.
The Red Sox bullpen has done great in a number of key categories when grading against the league’s top relief pitching corps. They are above average in wins in relief with four, coming into games with runners already on base with 25, an average leverage index of 1.118, and the number of times a pitcher completed more than three outs with 13.
Categories in which they have been league average include converting three save opportunities and seven holds.
The Red Sox bullpen is below average in inherited score percentage and games entered with medium leverage.
All of this is to say that the Red Sox bullpen has done a fairly good job when called upon. They rank second in leverage index which means they are coming into games more than most teams when the pressure is on. The ability to get out of those jams with little damage is what is going to push the Red Sox to more wins throughout the season.
While Garrett Whitlock gets most of this hype, rightfully so the way he has been pitching, there are two other pitchers in this bullpen that could emerge as key contributors. They have shown in a small sample size what they could potentially do all season.