Red Sox bullpen
The overall production has been mediocre, with Red Sox relievers ranking eighth in the league with a 3.74 ERA and seventh with a 9.14 K/9.
Boston hasn’t named an official closer all season and the lack of a clear hierarchy has been a problem late in games. Red Sox relievers have been tagged with 15 losses while only saving 17 games in 33 save opportunities. The Red Sox have six extra-innings losses this season and seven walk-off losses.
The much-maligned bullpen has been a source of frustration but there are positive signs that this group will improve. Tanner Houck is emerging as the team’s closer, converting all six of his opportunities. He owns a 2.93 ERA and 10.0 K/9 since joining the bullpen.
John Schrieber has been a revelation, coming out of nowhere as a non-roster invitee in spring training to establish himself as the bullpen’s top setup arm. He owns a miniscule 0.73 ERA and 0.69 WHIP in 24 2/3 innings.
Matt Strahm has hit a rough patch lately but he’s been mostly solid this year with a 3.80 ERA and 9.9 K/9. The lefty has been used in high-leverage spots and since he’s been almost equally effective against lefties and right-handed hitters, the Red Sox don’t need to shy away from using him based on the opposing batters.
Austin Davis and Jake Diekman have dominated lefties, combining to allow only two earned runs over 24 innings when facing left-handed hitters. Both southpaws own a sub-1.00 WHIP in the split.
This bullpen still has its weaknesses. Hansel Robles was a potential closer candidate in April but has been a disaster since then. Cora still has far too much faith in Ryan Brasier and Hirokazu Sawamura. Let’s not even talk about whatever happened to Matt Barnes.
Every team could always use more bullpen depth and the Red Sox will undoubtedly explore options on the trade market to improve. However, if Whitlock ends up back in the bullpen when he’s activated from the injured list, he could form a very solid core with Houck, Schrieber, Strahm, Davis and Diekman. Lefty Josh Taylor is also nearing a return and has the potential to be the team’s best left-handed reliever if he returns to form.
All those late losses and blown saves would lead you to believe this bullpen has been a dumpster fire but that hasn’t actually been the case. It certainly needs improvement but there is the foundation for a solid core of relievers once they are all healthy.
Grade: C