A deeper look into two surprising arms in the Red Sox bullpen

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 05: Members of the Boston Red Sox bullpen look on before the 2021 American League Wild Card game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on October 5, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 05: Members of the Boston Red Sox bullpen look on before the 2021 American League Wild Card game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on October 5, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
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Former Red Sox RP Hansel Robles
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 02: Hansel Robles #56 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after the Red Sox defeated the Washington Nationals 5-3 at Nationals Park on October 02, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Red Sox righty shutting down opposing hitters

Another reliever that Red Sox Nation has felt comfortable with when he comes into games is Hansel Robles.

The right-hander has pitched a total of 5 innings over 4 games, allowing one hit, no runs, two walks, five strikeouts, and a 0.600 WHIP.

Last season, Bloom traded to get Robles from the Minnesota Twins. When he came over to the Red Sox, he ended up pitching 25 innings in 27 regular season games, striking out 33 batters while walking 13, and producing a 3.60 ERA.

The 2021 postseason was a different story for Robles. Besides his scoreless frame against the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card game, Robles did not have a great postseason. He had a 10.80 ERA against the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Division Series and ended up getting the loss in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros.

The concern from Red Sox fans was legitimate when Bloom decided to ink Robles to a 1-year, $2.25 million deal for the 2022 season. Would he be the Robles of the regular season or the disaster of the postseason?

We have a short sample size to go off of right now, but it is looking like the 31-year-old has found his groove. If he can keep that momentum going, the Red Sox have a good chance to win a ton of games.

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