ST. LOUIS -- Trying to find another strong a strong set-up man hasn’t necessarily been the problem for the Red Sox.
But if the set-up guy is being saved for the seventh or eighth, who pitches earlier?
That’s been the problem. Depth, not talent.
Right-hander Heath Hembree, whose ERA has jumped from 1.15 to 4.05 in the last 10 days, is learning that first-hand.
Hembree has been one of Red Sox manager John Farrell’s favorite relievers. He’s been used in close games in the eighth inning, ninth inning and 10th inning.
But he’s also been used in much lower-leverage moments.