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Boston Red Sox: 3 bullpen arms to count on down the stretch

By Justin Keene

BOSTON, MA - JULY 26: Brian Johnson #61 is taken out of the game by Manager Alex Cora #20 of the Boston Red Sox in the sixth inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park on July 26, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JULY 26: Brian Johnson #61 is taken out of the game by Manager Alex Cora #20 of the Boston Red Sox in the sixth inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park on July 26, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

The bullpen has by far been this team’s biggest weakness this season. The Boston Red Sox do have weapons they can deploy at the end of games, however, it is uncertain who Alex Cora trusts in high leverage situations.

With the Red Sox on pace for over 100 wins and looking to cruise to their third straight division crown, it can be easy to think this team has no flaws. This team certainly has flaws, though very scarce. The biggest flaw by far of the 2018 Boston Red Sox has been their bullpen.

Many people criticized Dave Dombrowski after he made no moves at the deadline that could’ve helped out the bullpen. He missed on elite arms like Zach Britton and Brad Hand; both of which went to contending teams in the Yankees and Indians.

Dealing Dave also missed out on second-hand bullpen options; Brad Brach, Roberto Osuna, Ryan Pressly, Joakim Soria, and Jeurys Familia all moved to new teams, while the Red Sox and Dombrowski sat on their hands.

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The Red Sox have plenty of bullpen arms in-house, but given how the team has choked away leads late in games, it is fair to question Dombrowski’s motives. Here are three arms in the bullpen that I believe the Red Sox can count on down the stretch.

Ryan Brasier

Ryan Brasier seemed to have emerged from the woodwork. His first game this season with Boston was July 9th against the Texas Rangers. He pitched a clean 9th inning, facing three batters and ending the game in 14 pitches.

Since then, he has been dominant. Over 17 games with the Red Sox this season, Brasier has allowed only 9 hits and 2 earned runs. The breakout star for the Boston bullpen also has posted an astonishing 1.00 ERA, while striking out 18 batters in 18 innings pitched.

The Red Sox need him to continue his success, especially down the stretch and into October. The 30-year old has proven himself as someone Alex Cora can trust in a tough spot. Let’s hope he continues his dominance for the rest of the season.

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