Sox Bullpen

[Dogdeacon]

Wow, Sox pen is even worse than it looked on paper. Melancon has given up runs in every outing and last night gave up 3 HR's including a monstrous bomb that almost out-did Ted Williams legendary shot. Melancon looked worse than a deer in the headlights and if they had anyone else he'd be shipped to Pawtucket. He gave up 7 runs without recording an out and the Rangers batted around and used Pinch Hitters in a downgrade mode (Kinsler & Hamilton called back). Sox still have good enough hitting, but when their starters don't last they've got zero chance AND if they are in close games the bullpen will make everything 50-50.

 

[dsturdy5]

This is where the injuries and/or ineffectiveness of Dice K and Lackey really hurt. The Sox could have Bard back there for some stability. Bailey's injury, too, is a tough one but mistakes in the rotation have created holes elsewhere. Hopefully Bailey recovers and adds something in the second half of the year.

 

[Dogdeacon]

This is where the injuries and/or ineffectiveness of Dice K and Lackey really hurt. The Sox could have Bard back there for some stability. Bailey's injury, too, is a tough one but mistakes in the rotation have created holes elsewhere. Hopefully Bailey recovers and adds something in the second half of the year.

Its definitely a domino effect, all negative
DiceK/Lackey hurt = Aceves & Bard considered as starters
Bailey hurt = Aceves who went thru spring as starter and is ideally suited to long relief is instead the closer
Aceves Closer - long relievers a bunch of crap, Atchison was serviceable (1ER, but 2 inherited runners scored) in the mopup role last night, but last year Aceves would have stopped the bleeding and given the Sox a chance to come back.
Bard Starter - Melancon an inconceivably bad setup guy

I see that since my first post Melancon was put out of his misery and set to Pawsoxa and the Sox have Junichi Tazawa which is either a pitcher or a bad rash but probably both.

 

[60'sfan]

The Sox should bring up Cook and make him a starter and put Bard back in the bullpen where he belongs. They might even want to consider giving him the closing role for a while and let Aceves go back to set up or long relief.

Dice K may be back sooner than expected and so might Jacoby. I know it is only single A but Matt Barnes is off to a sizzling start. 2 wins, 0 losses, 16 innings, 6 hits, no runs, 25 strikeouts and 2 walks.