Red Sox: Five candidates that could be Boston’s next closer

BOSTON, MA - MAY 21: Garrett Whitlock #72 of the Boston Red Sox follows through on his delivery during the first inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners on May 21, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 21: Garrett Whitlock #72 of the Boston Red Sox follows through on his delivery during the first inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners on May 21, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
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Red Sox RHP John Schreiber
BOSTON, MA – MAY 20: John Schreiber #46 of the Boston Red Sox walks off the mound during the eighth inning of a game against the Seattle Mariners on May 20, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox Closing Option #1: John Schreiber

If you had told me that John Schreiber would be one of the best arms the Red Sox have in their bullpen a few months ago, I would’ve called in a wellness check. A righty that never amounted to much of anything in Detroit is now one of the most trusted arms Alex Cora can call upon on any given night.

Schrieber has been an absolute menace for the Red Sox and a guy that I fully believe could be our closer for the second half. Cora has been using him in some of the tightest situations the team has been in and time after time he has proven worthy of the honors.

Schreibzilla has tossed 19 2/3 innings this season and owns a deadly 0.92 ERA. Now, he does have a 2.58 FIP so he may have some luck on his side but his 0.712 WHIP is closer level stuff. He’s not letting guys get on base and if he has to come into a situation where there are already some ducks on the pond, they’re not getting any further on the paths.

Of the group I’ll be displaying here I think Schreiber will get the most head scratches but it’s hard to deny what he’s done in 2022. Not only is he not giving up hits, he’s only allowed 9 on the season, but he’s making batters whiff at an impressive clip. After last night, his SO/W sits at a 4.2, I’ll gladly take that mix every day and twice on Sunday.

Opposing batters currently sit at a .130/.200/.203, yeah, I like that from a guy whose job it is to slam the door shut.

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