Red Sox bullpen needs to answer the seventh inning quest - 美國職棒

Red Sox bullpen needs to answer the seventh inning question

September 3rd, 2011 ‧ Category: Red Sox 2011

Bobby Jenks was supposed to fill the role, but he has spent much of the
season in the disabled list, and he has been ineffective when he has stepped
on the mound.

Matt Albers logged a 2.55 ERA in the first half of the season, but as some
relievers do, he has suddenly lost his ability to consistently record outs.
In the second half, he has a gaudy 8.41 ERA and has surrendered at least one
run in eight of his last 12 appearances.

Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon form one of the best late-inning relief
combinations in the majors, yet heading into September’s stretch run, the
Boston Red Sox have a question to answer. Who can Terry Francona trust out of
the bullpen in the seventh inning?

Considering Alfredo Aceves’ ability to retire right-handed and left-handed
batters, he is a candidate. Aceves is 9-2 with a 2.99 ERA in 44 games. Over
90.1 innings, he has allowed just 68 hits, owns a 1.13 WHIP and has limited
opposing hitters to a .206 average. The right-hander has the tools to serve
as a bridge in the seventh to Bard and Papelbon, but since he can pitch
multiple innings and serve different roles (long reliever, spot starter and
set-up man), limiting him to the seventh inning would diminish his value to
the ballclub.

Dan Wheeler has pitched better since returning from the disabled list earlier
this season – he had a 0.93 ERA in his last 10 outings before today’s game
– yet he allowed three runs and four hits in 1.2 innings this afternoon.

Michael Bowden, who is in his first season as a full-time reliever and added
a cutter to his arsenal, has pitched with confidence with the Red Sox,
perhaps fueled after serving as Pawtucket’s closer. He allowed one run and
two hits in 2.2 innings on Friday night, and overall he has a 2.31 ERA in
eight appearances with Boston this year. Still, he has little experience in
the majors.

Felix Doubront, a 23-year-old left-hander whose long-term major league future
is likely as a back-of-the-rotation starter, held right-handed hitters to a
.212 average at Pawtucket this season, so he is capable of more than just a
left-handed specialist’s role. Yet, like Bowden, he is a rookie and is
mostly untested in the big leagues.

Francona is loyal to veterans, and he has told the media that he is not
backing away from Albers, though the right-hander has seen more time in
recent games pitching in a mop-up role.

Likely, the Red Sox manager will use a combination of arms in the seventh
inning instead of relying upon one reliever. Aceves will undoubtedly get the
call at times, when he is not need before the seventh. Aside from today,
Wheeler has pitched effectively, so chances are he will get the ball in more
important situations. Albers was the primary seventh inning reliever in the
first half, and he will probably have more opportunities, as long as he shows
he can consistently get batters out again.

Theo Epstein’s plan was for Jenks to be the go-to guy in the seventh, thus
the reason the former closer was signed to a two-year, $12 million deal last
off-season. With Jenks on the DL, the Sox are left to take a seventh inning
by committee approach.

With Jon Lester and Josh Beckett forming one of the game’s best one-two
punches atop the rotation, Erik Bedard pitching well and John Lackey
performing much better in the second half, Boston has an advantage over the
Yankees in starting pitching.

In the bullpen, the Yankees have a now healthy Rafael Soriano in the seventh,
the hard-throwing David Robertson in the eighth and the legendary Mariano
Rivera as the closer, so they have the advantage in late inning situations.

Bard has the ability to get an out or two in the seventh and still pitch the
eighth, but leaning on him too much in the seventh will wear him down.

The Red Sox need Aceves and Wheeler to step up this month a go-to options in
the seventh inning. Aceves has proven reliable in any role, and Wheeler
developed a track record as a strong set-up man in Tampa Bay.

They can be dual answers to the seventh inning question.

http://ppt.cc/tiHG

紅襪牛棚第七局的問題

Bobby Jenks應可負擔起這個任務，可是本季因傷缺席太多

Matt Albers上半球季還有2.55優質ERA，但到下半球季卻是誇張的8.41

Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon比賽關門的雙保險，然而，除二人外粉柯南還可以
信任哪個牛棚投手來投第七局？

Alfredo Aceves是人選之一，他今年防禦率2.99，90局只被打68安打，1.13whip
還僅有2成06的被打擊率，他有這份能力擔當第七局投手，但自從他投複數局和兼備不同
角色工作，限制了他專司第七局的可能

Dan Wheeler回來之後投得更傑出了，最近十場只有0.93的防禦率，不過呢，今天比賽
1.2局就被敲四隻安打掉了三分

Michael Bowden，增加卡特球後很有信心，今年八局投球防禦率2.31，當然，他很少經驗
擔任這個工作

Felix Doubront，23歲的左投，右打對他只有2成12的打擊率，他的能力不僅作為一人左
使用。然後，就像Bowden，Doubront只是個rookie，他在大聯盟沒有太多經驗

粉柯南傾向有經驗者，他不打算換掉Albers

可能地，七局會動用多名投手，Aceves還是毫無疑問被信任立即叫上去的，從今天看來，
Wheeler具有有效壓制，他將獲得更多的機會。Aceves還是第一人選，只要他能持續穩定
表現稱職。

原本是囑意讓Jenks投第七局，不過他進DL名單

Jon Lester and Josh Beckett是優秀的前兩號先發，Erik Bedard投得很好
John Lackey在下半季漸入佳境，在先發輪值上紅襪將超越洋基

牛棚方面，洋基第七局有健康的Soriano，強力投手David Robertson鎮守第八局，以及
傳奇終結者李維拉第九局關門，在比賽後半段，洋基牛棚佔有優勢

Bard有可能會連續投七到八局，但假使如此將會使他消耗磨損

紅襪第七局還是必須倚賴Aceves and Wheeler，Aceves已證明可靠值得信任，Wheeler在光
芒時期曾經擔任過第八局的setup man

他們兩人可解決紅襪第七局投手佈局的問題








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