ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Boston Red Sox had one of the best bullpens in baseball last season, ranking second in all of baseball with their relievers posting a 3.15 ERA.
As the Red Sox continue their season-opening series at the Rays on Friday, they'll hope to bounce back from a rare late-inning collapse Thursday when relievers Joe Kelly and Carson Smith combined to give up six runs in the eighth inning in a 6-4 loss to the Rays.
"He didn't throw strikes," new Boston manager Alex Cora said of Kelly, who walked three and gave up a hit to help blow a four-run lead.