I don’t think many baseball observers would disagree that Jonathan Papelbon is one of the top five, or maybe top three, closers in baseball. I am going on the record today as saying that Jonathan Papelbon is the best closer in baseball. He is simply made to close big games. The stare, the confidence, the raw power, the filthy pitches, the adrenaline-fueled exuberance. He has it all.
Papelbon was amazing last night against the Texas Rangers. Curt Schilling pitched seven strong innings, allowing a single run and leaving with a 3 to 1 lead. Joel Pineiro starts the 8th inning and can’t find the strike zone. The bases are loaded and Terry Francona is starting to sweat bullets. Javier Lopez induces an RBI groundout. With runners on the corners and one out in a 3–2 ballgame Francona calls for Papelbon. Papelbon strikes out Michael Young on four pitches, simply overpowering him. He blows fastballs by Young at 94, 95, and 96 MPH, increasing speed with each strike. A pop out ends the inning. Papelbon continues the domination in the 9th inning, shutting down the Rangers. He ends up with a five-out save, throwing only 15 pitches and striking out three.
Big Papi looked good last night, finally getting solid wood on the baseball. He managed a pair of homeruns, accounting for all of the Red Sox scoring. He also roped a would-be base hit late in the game that was stabbed beautifully after a hop by a diving two-time Gold Glove winner, Mark Teixeira.
After a week of Sox baseball I can say that the pitching looks good. The starting pitching has been very strong. With the exception of Saturday against the Rangers, the bullpen has also been a strength so far. Last night Papelbon covered for Pineiro’s ineffectiveness.
The offense, on the other hand, has been near offensive. If the bottom of the order can’t hit this season, we need to start playing small ball with ‘Tek, Crisp, and Pedroia.
I hate off-days.
No comments:
Post a Comment