Red Sox to Replace Kimbrel as Closer?

Red Sox to Replace Kimbrel as Closer?

Opinion: by Bill Russo - Retired Newspaper Editor

 

 In 2007 the Boston Red Sox won the World Series after gathering 96 victories in the regular season.  In 2018 some people are predicting that the 2018 Sox (who are 80-34 as of the morning of 8/8/2018) will probably set a new franchise record for wins. 

Many fans are expecting them to win at least 117 games – which would be one more than the major league record shared by the Cubs who won 116 in 1906 and the Seattle Pilots/Mariners who won 116 in 2001.

I have sad news.  It ain’t gonna happen if Craig Kimbrel has anything to say about it.  Kimbrel is currently Boston’s closer.  He was acquired by the Red Sox three years ago after starring in Atlanta where he routinely saved between 40 and 50 games.

 

On the big stage of Beantown, Kimbrel (also known as ‘The Vulture’ for his odd stance before delivering a pitch) in three seasons counting this one, he has not been able to get past 39 saves.  And in his last five outings he has given up five runs in five innings.  

Thanks to an unbelievable offensive display by the amazing 2018 wrecking crew led by Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez, Kimbrel’s failures have been turned into victories.  But his ineffectiveness does not bode well for the playoffs.

In 2007, skipper Terry Francona had David Ortiz, Curt Schilling, Manny, and Jason Varitek.  A pretty good crew – but he also had J. D. Drew and a forgettable shortstop called Julio Lugo.

If the 2018 Red Sox were a deck of cards, a close look would find no jokers or deuces, but mostly ‘Aces’ – Sale, Porcello, Mookie, J.D., Jackie Bradley, Andy B., Xander, Raffie Devers, Brock Holt, Mitch, Steve Pierce, and more!

If they were a suit of armor, even a grenade launching RPG couldn’t hurt  them except for that great big dent in that armor – their closer Kimbrel.

Consider this, Johnathan Papelbon in 2007 had one of his typical great Boston years.  His ERA was a miserly 1.85 and he had 37 saves.

Kimbrel’s ERA in Atlanta was incredible.  One year it was 1.01.  But his first year in Boston it was 3.40 runs per game!

As of this date, 8/8/2018 he is in a funk which has included five stinkers in a row.  More than Papelbon probably had in his whole Boston career.

If Kimbrel doesn’t straighten out, BOLD PREDICTION COMING UP, he will be replaced in the post season by either Drew Pomerantz or David Price!

Remember, you read it here first.

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