※ [本文转录自 RedSox 看板 #1EOkUnMv ]
作者: zkow (海潮之声) 看板: RedSox
标题: [外电] Red Sox bullpen needs to answer the seventh inning quest
时间: Sun Sep 4 10:51:27 2011
Red Sox bullpen needs to answer the seventh inning question
September 3rd, 2011 ‧ Category: Red Sox 2011
Bobby Jenks was supposed to fill the role, but he has spent much of the
season in the disabled list, and he has been ineffective when he has stepped
on the mound.
Matt Albers logged a 2.55 ERA in the first half of the season, but as some
relievers do, he has suddenly lost his ability to consistently record outs.
In the second half, he has a gaudy 8.41 ERA and has surrendered at least one
run in eight of his last 12 appearances.
Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon form one of the best late-inning relief
combinations in the majors, yet heading into September’s stretch run, the
Boston Red Sox have a question to answer. Who can Terry Francona trust out of
the bullpen in the seventh inning?
Considering Alfredo Aceves’ ability to retire right-handed and left-handed
batters, he is a candidate. Aceves is 9-2 with a 2.99 ERA in 44 games. Over
90.1 innings, he has allowed just 68 hits, owns a 1.13 WHIP and has limited
opposing hitters to a .206 average. The right-hander has the tools to serve
as a bridge in the seventh to Bard and Papelbon, but since he can pitch
multiple innings and serve different roles (long reliever, spot starter and
set-up man), limiting him to the seventh inning would diminish his value to
the ballclub.
Dan Wheeler has pitched better since returning from the disabled list earlier
this season – he had a 0.93 ERA in his last 10 outings before today’s game
– yet he allowed three runs and four hits in 1.2 innings this afternoon.
Michael Bowden, who is in his first season as a full-time reliever and added
a cutter to his arsenal, has pitched with confidence with the Red Sox,
perhaps fueled after serving as Pawtucket’s closer. He allowed one run and
two hits in 2.2 innings on Friday night, and overall he has a 2.31 ERA in
eight appearances with Boston this year. Still, he has little experience in
the majors.
Felix Doubront, a 23-year-old left-hander whose long-term major league future
is likely as a back-of-the-rotation starter, held right-handed hitters to a
.212 average at Pawtucket this season, so he is capable of more than just a
left-handed specialist’s role. Yet, like Bowden, he is a rookie and is
mostly untested in the big leagues.
Francona is loyal to veterans, and he has told the media that he is not
backing away from Albers, though the right-hander has seen more time in
recent games pitching in a mop-up role.
Likely, the Red Sox manager will use a combination of arms in the seventh
inning instead of relying upon one reliever. Aceves will undoubtedly get the
call at times, when he is not need before the seventh. Aside from today,
Wheeler has pitched effectively, so chances are he will get the ball in more
important situations. Albers was the primary seventh inning reliever in the
first half, and he will probably have more opportunities, as long as he shows
he can consistently get batters out again.
Theo Epstein’s plan was for Jenks to be the go-to guy in the seventh, thus
the reason the former closer was signed to a two-year, $12 million deal last
off-season. With Jenks on the DL, the Sox are left to take a seventh inning
by committee approach.
With Jon Lester and Josh Beckett forming one of the game’s best one-two
punches atop the rotation, Erik Bedard pitching well and John Lackey
performing much better in the second half, Boston has an advantage over the
Yankees in starting pitching.
In the bullpen, the Yankees have a now healthy Rafael Soriano in the seventh,
the hard-throwing David Robertson in the eighth and the legendary Mariano
Rivera as the closer, so they have the advantage in late inning situations.
Bard has the ability to get an out or two in the seventh and still pitch the
eighth, but leaning on him too much in the seventh will wear him down.
The Red Sox need Aceves and Wheeler to step up this month a go-to options in
the seventh inning. Aceves has proven reliable in any role, and Wheeler
developed a track record as a strong set-up man in Tampa Bay.
They can be dual answers to the seventh inning question.
http://ppt.cc/tiHG
红袜牛棚第七局的问题
Bobby Jenks应可负担起这个任务，可是本季因伤缺席太多
Matt Albers上半球季还有2.55优质ERA，但到下半球季却是夸张的8.41
Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon比赛关门的双保险，然而，除二人外粉柯南还可以
信任哪个牛棚投手来投第七局？
Alfredo Aceves是人选之一，他今年防御率2.99，90局只被打68安打，1.13whip
还仅有2成06的被打击率，他有这份能力担当第七局投手，但自从他投复数局和兼备不同
角色工作，限制了他专司第七局的可能
Dan Wheeler回来之后投得更杰出了，最近十场只有0.93的防御率，不过呢，今天比赛
1.2局就被敲四只安打掉了三分
Michael Bowden，增加卡特球后很有信心，今年八局投球防御率2.31，当然，他很少经验
担任这个工作
Felix Doubront，23岁的左投，右打对他只有2成12的打击率，他的能力不仅作为一人左
使用。然后，就像Bowden，Doubront只是个rookie，他在大联盟没有太多经验
粉柯南倾向有经验者，他不打算换掉Albers
可能地，七局会动用多名投手，Aceves还是毫无疑问被信任立即叫上去的，从今天看来，
Wheeler具有有效压制，他将获得更多的机会。Aceves还是第一人选，只要他能持续稳定
表现称职。
原本是嘱意让Jenks投第七局，不过他进DL名单
Jon Lester and Josh Beckett是优秀的前两号先发，Erik Bedard投得很好
John Lackey在下半季渐入佳境，在先发轮值上红袜将超越洋基
牛棚方面，洋基第七局有健康的Soriano，强力投手David Robertson镇守第八局，以及
传奇终结者李维拉第九局关门，在比赛后半段，洋基牛棚占有优势
Bard有可能会连续投七到八局，但假使如此将会使他消耗磨损
红袜第七局还是必须倚赖Aceves and Wheeler，Aceves已证明可靠值得信任，Wheeler在光
芒时期曾经担任过第八局的setup man
他们两人可解决红袜第七局投手布局的问题