Burke Badenhop: Unsung Hero of Boston Red Sox Bullpen

               

               Burke Badenhop has been one of the most reliable relievers for the Boston 
Red Sox this season. The 31-year-old right-hander owns a 1.64 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in 32 appearances out of the bullpen.

                The efforts of Badenhop have at times gone under the radar because of the impressive work of Junichi Tazawa (2.40 ERA) and Andrew Miller (2.48 ERA), two relievers that were integral parts of Boston’s World Series title run in 2013. Badenhop, who signed with the Red Sox in the offseason, is largely overshadowed because of closer Koji Uehara, the 2013 ALCS MVP and the current holder of an otherworldly 0.57 ERA.

                Badenhop maneuvered through a shaky eighth inning in the Red Sox’s 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night, loading the bases before striking out the Twins’ Brian Dozier to end the threat.

                “Just made some big pitches, got a righty back up there (in Dozier),” Badenhop said, per MassLive.com. “I wasn’t going to miss over the plate to [Danny] Santana, end up hitting him knowing I’ve got a base open there, and getting to Dozier and kind of going toe-to-toe with him there and getting a good slider.”

                With 2/3 inning of no-run work in Monday’s win, Badenhop extended his streak to 30 innings without allowing an earned run. The 30-inning stretch is the third-longest relief streak without an earned run in Red Sox history — trailing only and Dick Radatz (33 innings in 1963) and Uehara (33 2/3 innings in 2013) — for the franchise record.

                "With where we were, Hop (Badenhop) has gained an awful lot of trust as the year has gone on," said Red Sox manager John Farrell, via MassLive.com. "We know he's got to be careful to left-handers and he makes a key pitch with a slider to punch out (Brian) Dozier to end a bases-loaded threat."

                Badenhop’s historical run is remarkable, given his abysmal start to the year that saw the reliever give up six earned runs in six innings in his first four appearances of the season.  Badenhop, who leads all MLB relievers with 10 ground-ball double plays, has a legitimate shot to make the American League All-Star team.

                Badenhop has emerged as a critical cog in a Red Sox bullpen that ranks fourth in the big leagues with a 2.80 ERA.

John Farrell Must Remove Andrew Bailey As Closer

John Farrell has no choice but to relieve Andrew Bailey of his closing duties. The Boston Red Sox were on the verge of a narrow 3-2 victory last night at Comerica Park against the Detroit Tigers, before Bailey let up a two-run, walk-off home run to Tigers’ shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

Bailey has now blown three saves in his last five chances. Bailey surrendered the game-tying run in the in the top of the ninth inning in the nightcap of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays. Jonnny Gomes was able to bail out Bailey that night by crushing a walk-off home run over the Green Monster in left field.  But last night, Bailey was not able to get away with blowing the save, costing the Red Sox a victory.

In Bailey’s last five appearances, he’s given up four home runs and walked batters, allowing seven earned runs in the process.

Farrell hinted at a change at the closer position following last night’s deflating loss to the Tigers.

“Yes, I think so,” Farrell said when asked if he’ll look at other options to close out games. “That might be backing him out of that [role] to get him some work to get on track a little more. We’ll talk more about that internally, about making a potential change.”

Since returning from the disabled list in early May, Bailey has been plagued by a decrease in velocity. His fastball is getting racked by seemingly every batter he opposes. Farrell has noticed this disturbing trend in Bailey’s velocity.

“The velocity hasn’t come back like it was before the DL stint,” Farrell said. “There’s work being done, through long-toss program, through the work that’s being done with the strength and medical staff here. He doesn’t talk of any inflammation or any uncomfortable feeling in the shoulder and yet the results are what they are.”

Bailey, meanwhile, shrugged off the notion that he is not 100 percent healthy as he believes his velocity will improve over time.

“I feel fine,” Bailey said. “I feel great. There are peaks and valleys in this game with velocity in outings. Right now I’ve got a little bit of both going and I’ll come out of it.”

It’s encouraging to hear that Bailey still has confidence in his abilities, but the fact of the matter is the Red Sox can’t keep giving games away if they want to remain in first place in the American League East. Bailey is just 8 for 12 in closing opportunities this year, proving that he should no longer be pitching the final inning for the Sox.

Farrell has plenty of internal options to replace Bailey at the closer. He could move set-up man Koji Uehara  into to the closing role. Uehara has shown he can retire batters in critical situations as he has recorded 13 holds and one save on the season, posting a 2.10 ERA in the process. If not Uehara, then maybe Farrell could slide Junichi Tazawa or Andrew Miller into the closing role. Tazawa has a 2.51 ERA on the season with 11 holds, while Miller posts a 2.77 ERA with 5 holds on the year.

Tazawa, Uehara and Miller all have the potential to close games. Bailey is still an important component of the Red Sox bullpen, but his struggles in the ninth inning cannot be overlooked and therefore Farrell has to select a new closer moving forward.