Fansided · Jun 16, 2018
Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes can’t be trusted close and late
Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes blew another game last night. Is it time for the Red Sox to move on from him in close and late situations?
As it currently stands, the Boston Red Sox bullpen hierarchy includes Matt Barnes taking the mound in the 8th inning of close games. Joe Kelly gets about half the opportunities in the 8th. He also gets a slightly higher rate of chances in close and late situations, and high leverage situations. But Barnes is out there plenty with the game on the line. The problem is he’s not very good in that role. Last night’s loss to the Seattle Mariners is just the latest reminder that the this Red Sox team has an Achilles heel. They lack a dominant bullpen.
