Bard to Pawtucket

[Danzz]

Bard was sent to Pawtucket today and DiceK is expected to join the big club and get a start over the weekend.
Bard is a much better pitcher than he has shown this season but he needs to get his mechanics and his head in shape. Now I get to scream at my TV "throw a f----n strike and stop nibbling you a--hole."

 

[dsturdy5]

Bard was sent to Pawtucket today and DiceK is expected to join the big club and get a start over the weekend.
Bard is a much better pitcher than he has shown this season but he needs to get his mechanics and his head in shape. Now I get to scream at my TV "throw a f----n strike and stop nibbling you a--hole."

As opposed to "throw a f---n strike and stop hitting people you a--hole"?


In all seriousness, I liked what I saw out of Bard early in the year. He was getting ground balls to get out of tough spots and going deeper and deeper into games. Then, something happened. I hope the Sox don't really mess him up by sticking him in Pawtucket.

 

[NHUConnfan]

I don't get why they just throw him in the pen. I was hoping he could make the transition and I thought he showed lots of promise but it's clear that he can't really do it. Burning an option on him to "figure" it out seems a little severe when they could do the easy thing and put him in the pen and help either stabilize Aceves or close himself. Don't need to pitch strikes to be a closer.

 

[Danzz]

They can't just

I don't get why they just throw him in the pen. I was hoping he could make the transition and I thought he showed lots of promise but it's clear that he can't really do it. Burning an option on him to "figure" it out seems a little severe when they could do the easy thing and put him in the pen and help either stabilize Aceves or close himself. Don't need to pitch strikes to be a closer.

You can't throw him in the pen and expect him to be effective because of his mechanics . Bard's release point is all over the place and he simply isn't ready to pitch. Right now Pawtucket is the best destination for him although there is always the danger that it could mess with his confidence.

 

[Waquoit]

I think this also partly a warning shot to the guy, telling him to get his head out of his ass and grow the ef up. Did you hear some of his post-game comments? He wasn't owning his performance (or lack of), he was trying to blame the coaches.

 

[60'sfan]

I think this also partly a warning shot to the guy, telling him to get his head out of his ass and grow the ef up. Did you hear some of his post-game comments? He wasn't owning his performance (or lack of), he was trying to blame the coaches.

I haven't liked his post-game comments either. In some of his more dismal outings, he would say that even though the results weren't good he really liked the way he was throwing. Unfortunately the opposing hitters liked the way who was throwing too. I still say he belongs in a set-up role in the pen where he can throw his 98 mph fast ball.

 

[zls44]

I'm not entirely sure the types of pitches he throws are conducive to being a ML starter. His current problem is that the ones he's been throwing have been awful, but the larger problem is the makeup of his repertoire.

 

[60'sfan]

I just hope that Bard does not become the next Joba Chamberlain.

 

[Deadrody]

What an absolute DISASTER by the Red Sox here. I honestly don't think you could come up with a worse possible outcome of this "bullpen to starter" experiment. Bard was undoubtedly the heir apparent closer at the end of the 2011 season. Now he's trying to regain his ability to throw the ball over the plate in AAA. Wicked awesome move there, fellas.

 

[60'sfan]

What an absolute DISASTER by the Red Sox here. I honestly don't think you could come up with a worse possible outcome of this "bullpen to starter" experiment. Bard was undoubtedly the heir apparent closer at the end of the 2011 season. Now he's trying to regain his ability to throw the ball over the plate in AAA. Wicked awesome move there, fellas.

It was definitely a questionable decision to let Bard start. But he wanted to try and the Sox were short on starters. Now it is time to put him back in the pen but I still don't think he is a closer. He seems to be somewhat streaky. He can pitch poorly for two or two and a half weeks before he gets back on track. He would be run out of town in Boston if he did that in the closer's role.

 

[Deadrody]

According to the Herald, he is back to the pen. Now he just has to work out of the bad habits he developed trying to be a starter.