BoSox Nation View From the Cheap Seats

Another key piece of the Red Sox has to be replaced this off-season. Papelbon recently left as a free agent and signed with the Phillies. This loss is not a significant a some of the others but during his time with the Red Sox Papelbon had 219 saves with a 2.33 ERA. Papelbon helped bring Boston the world Series title in 2007. But now it is time for the closer in waiting, Daniel Bard, to step up. He definitely has the potential to be a lights outs closer with a 100mph fastball and almost an unhittable slider. After the all-star break last season Bard struggled though. His fastball was up in the zone and he couldn’t throw his slider for a strike. No matter how hard a pitcher throws if a pitch is left over the middle of the plate Major League hitters are going to turn on it.This upcoming season there will be even more pressure on Bard to perform well with the increased work load he will be getting compared to his setup role of last season. He might not have to pitch as many innings but pressure in the 9th inning will be insurmountable. It is Daniel Bard’s show now. It is his time to prove that he is one of the elite pitchers in the league or if he is just another pitcher with electric stuff tat didn’t pan out.     

stats from mlb.com