Less than a month into the 2019 season, the Red Sox’ bullpen strategy is starting to come into view. It will not include a closer, at least in the traditional sense of the term.
This was highlighted – albeit negatively – during a 5-3 loss to the Yankees on Wednesday night. While the bullpen had been one of the few bright spots in the team’s disappointing start to its title defense, a seventh inning Brett Gardner grand slam off reliever Ryan Brasier helped hand Boston’s division rival another win.
Braiser, used as the final Red Sox pitcher in a game in five of his first eight appearances before Wednesday, was brought in during a middle inning to face Gardner.