Correct Sir -- More on Papelbon

Well played on the summary of the week.

I am going to have to go ahead and agree with Trey on the Papelbon thing. While I was amped that he was our closer last year, I was excited for him to start and put up some numbers for Boston this year. The potential for him to have a Clemens-esque run in Boston was definitely there, but he made a decision in a way which he felt he could best help the club. Despite my initial disappointment when the decision was announced, all it took was one look at a picture of his post-save fist pump in an archived photo to make me remember how lights out and valuable he was.

Sunday's performance (as Trey pointed out) was lights out. Papelbon came in when they needed him most, in a tough situation, and got the key outs. He retired 5 batters in only 15 pitches, with three strikeouts to boot. Unbelievable. Imagine if he had started the game (again, as Trey pointed out) and it had been left to Javier Lopez, J.C. Romero, and Joel Pinero, who knows what the outcome would be.

Papelbon provides the security this club needs to win games. Without an elite closer, the Sox are at an extreme disadvantage. If you look at the 2004 campaign which resulted in the Red Sox finally winning the World Series, Keith Foulke was an integral part of that journey. When leads were close, Francona was able to call on him to shut the door. Papelbon however, is a much better option because he is younger, throws harder, and has a much more dominating presence. His bread and butter are his mid to high 90s fastball and his slider. He also throws a splitter and can throw a curve and changeup, but his dominance with the first mentioned pitches make him an excellent closing candidate. With his dominant stuff and his intensity on the mound he has what it takes to protect the valuable leads the Red Sox power bats are sure to produce. While the bullpen is shaky without Timlin (and with three, yes three, left handed relievers) Papelbon's value is further increased as the large leads can quickly turn to small.

With the Sox at home this week, hopefully there will be a little more action and the balls will carry a little better so that Papelbon doesn't need to be taxed. When a close game undoubtedly comes during this homestand, however, Papelbon will bring the gas to get the job done.

-J

Week One Recap

The Red Sox are back in Boston getting ready for Tuesday's home opener against Seattle. 3-3 is the Red Sox record after the opening week's road trip, 2-1 vs. Kansas City and 1-2 vs. Texas. My overall impression of the team so far is positive. The bullpen looks more less improved and of course Papelbon is a tremendous weapon. Our hitting has been lackluster, but I am not worried. It is early in the season and the weather has been unusually cool so far for these games.

Now that I have provided a brief summary, lets discuss Papelbon. What an incredible impression he left on me from Sunday night's performance. In all honesty, I was still a little peeved that Papelbon was not in our rotation. I was of the opinion that 180+ innings of Papelbon would be far more valuable than his 90+ innings as the closer. I WAS WRONG. Sure we may have won Sat night if Papelbon pitched but there is no way we would have won Sun night. Plus who knows how many of Papelbon's starts would have been ruined by the bullpen.

Runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out and all the momentum on the Rangers' side. Young struck out on 4 pitches and Teixera popped up on his first pitch. End of inning. 1-2-3 in the 9th. Who else on our staff could have done that? No one... and our spring training closer Pineiro is the one who got us into the 8th inning mess in the first place. So welcome back Papelbon.

This week we have 3 games at home against Seattle and then we host the LA Angels of Anaheim for four games, including Monday for Patriots Day. Hopefully the weather warms up to spark our offense, along with being at Fenway Park.

Trey

2007...again

Our predictions were exactly the same.

Well done. Sox over Dodgers.

2007 Season

The 2007 Season is upon us.

Trey's WS prediction: Red Sox over Dodgers