Another night, another messy Papelbon save.

[MaineDolFan]

^You're so blinded by Papelbon it's almost comical!  I forgot that Green issued the leadoff walk and the following basehits.  I also forgot it was Nick Green that allowed three stolen bases in the top of the 9th.  Man.  Green should have screamed "look the runner over, Pap!  Look the runner over!"

[Sunstroke]

Maine...you need to untwist those knickers a full two turns, as I've been busting on you solely for the sake of busting on you since you started this latest Paps-smear. I'm blinded by nothing but statistical truth...I just enjoy giving you grief when you do your sandlot Chicken Little impression.

The 9th inning is falling...the 9th inning is falling!!

[MaineDolFan]

The 9th inning is falling...the 9th inning is falling!!

It is!  A lot!

If Papelbon can't hold a three run lead against clowns like the O's and A's...how do you suppose that will translate into late September games against the Rays and Yankees?

You can "bust me up" all you want and think I'm Chicken Little - but let me ask you a yes or no question:  If you were a Boston fan would you have 100% confidence in turning the ball over to Papelbon with a 1 run lead in a big game 100% of the time? 

[Sunstroke]

If I were a Boston fan, I would be so happy that I wasn't a Padres or Nats fan that I might just smile and keep my mouth shut.

Just sayin'...

[MaineDolFan]

I'll take that as a no.

Thanks!

[Sunstroke]

Maine, there aren't but a handful of closers EVER that I feel would give me a 100% comfort zone 100% of the time he's in there. Perfection is a beautiful carrot to chase, but don't starve yourself while waiting for your salad.

There aren't 5 closers in baseball that I would trade Paps straight up for right now...even given his recent struggles.

[MaineDolFan]

In order for Papelbon to be truly "elite" (which he clearly is not), you shoud have zero issues with him taking the ball 100% of the time for a one run save.  That is why he is a closer making 6 million a year.

If you wouldn't be comfortable handing the ball to him 100% of the time to protect a one run lead in a big game you've answered my question.  Facts are facts, this season alone he is closing in on 40 hits issued to go along with his 20 walks, 3 losses and 3 blown saves.  He is a high wire act.  Come late September I am not sure how I feel about him on the bump with a one run lead...the Sox clinging to a half game division lead...and Damon, Cano and Jeter coming to plate.  If he can't keep the triple-A A's off the base paths, what the hell will a good hitter do to him this season?

Joe Nathan for Papelbon, straight up?  Done.  Done, done, done.  I'll walk to Minnesota and carry Joe back to Boston.

[Brian Fein]

I've seen a lot of Papelbon giving out leadoff walks.  A good closer should NEVER walk anyone.  An elite closer should almost never even fall behind in the count.

I agree that he's scary but the real question is, why do they continue to roll him out to save the game?

In other news, Jeremy Hermida has 75 straight games without an error.  Just sayin'

[MaineDolFan]

I agree that he's scary but the real question is, why do they continue to roll him out to save the game?

He is the best option they have right now, in their opinion. 

I would like to see Bard moved into that position.  Dude pounds you down and in with 100mph heat and then drops a 75 mph 11/5 curve on you.  It's sick. 

To the people who say "he is only a rookie!  Why put him in that position?"  I'll counter with this:  Papelbon was (technically) a rookie when he became the team's closer as well.

Closers come and go.  Here today, gone tomorrow.  Get what you can while you can and move on. 

[Sunstroke]

Closers come and go.  Here today, gone tomorrow.  Get what you can while you can and move on. 

Some stick around for a while (Mariano, Trevor, Lee Smith, etc...), and those are the ones that I think achieve truly elite status. I still think Paps is one of the top closers in baseball...he just needs to get his head right.

[MaineDolFan]

^^He has elite stuff, I grant you that.  But if you're operating under a "once is a mistake, twice is a fluke, three times is a pattern" way of thinking...something is very off / pattern. 

When he's on he's the best in the game.  Plain and simple.  When he's not "on" he's average at best.  This year, despite the sparkling ERA, he's been fairly average.