I read some of Tomase's "Questions...." for this team and while I don't really like him as a writer.... his bit about the bullpen had me feeling very optimistic, "
Now that he's out of COVID protocol, Barnes should close, with veteran right-hander Adam Ottavino and hard-throwing lefty Darwinzon Hernandez the primary setup men.
The Red Sox feature multiple looks, whether it's the power splitter of Japanese import Hirokazu Sawamura, the fastball/slider combo of Rule 5 pick Garrett Whitlock, 95 mph heat from left-hander Josh Taylor, or righty Phillips Valdez deploying his changeup. Barnes, Ottavino, Darwinzon Hernandez, Whitlock, and Taylor combined to allow only four runs in 33 spring innings. They appear locked in for the start of the season."
What are your thoughts about the team in general? Barnes still frightens me but can be so damned good when he's locked in. I personally think he's going to struggle and we'll start to see Hernandez turn into an All Star caliber "closer". Whitlock also I think will become "closer worthy".
Now that he's out of COVID protocol, Barnes should close, with veteran right-hander Adam Ottavino and hard-throwing lefty Darwinzon Hernandez the primary setup men.
The Red Sox feature multiple looks, whether it's the power splitter of Japanese import Hirokazu Sawamura, the fastball/slider combo of Rule 5 pick Garrett Whitlock, 95 mph heat from left-hander Josh Taylor, or righty Phillips Valdez deploying his changeup. Barnes, Ottavino, Darwinzon Hernandez, Whitlock, and Taylor combined to allow only four runs in 33 spring innings. They appear locked in for the start of the season."
What are your thoughts about the team in general? Barnes still frightens me but can be so damned good when he's locked in. I personally think he's going to struggle and we'll start to see Hernandez turn into an All Star caliber "closer". Whitlock also I think will become "closer worthy".