[Lefty Noob]

The unthinkable happened last night - Jonathan Papelbon blew a save. According to the Associated Press, "Boston's dominant closer allowed a tying, two-run homer to Travis Buck in the ninth inning, his first blown save in nine opportunities, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Red Sox 5-4 in 10 innings Tuesday night... Papelbon threw 35 pitches in just one inning and allowed three hits after giving up two hits and no runs in his other 9 1-3 innings this season. As a rookie last year, he had 35 saves and a 0.92 ERA. But on Tuesday his best two pitches, a fastball and splitter, were ineffective."

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

The unthinkable happened last night - Jonathan Papelbon blew a save. According to the Associated Press, "Boston's dominant closer allowed a tying, two-run homer to Travis Buck in the ninth inning, his first blown save in nine opportunities, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Red Sox 5-4 in 10 innings Tuesday night... Papelbon threw 35 pitches in just one inning and allowed three hits after giving up two hits and no runs in his other 9 1-3 innings this season. As a rookie last year, he had 35 saves and a 0.92 ERA. But on Tuesday his best two pitches, a fastball and splitter, were ineffective."

Maybe we should trade him out for Rivera. His ERA must be coming down.

[Nuke]

Papelbon is among the premiere relief pitchers but even the best have a bad night sometimes. This is a miniscule bump in the Red Sox rather easy road to the AL East title. The 2007 Boston Red Sox are a finely tuned machine built around pitching and defense plus they have more than enough power to put runs on the board. It would have been easy to ride the 2004 team till they got old like the Yankees do with their championship teams but the Sox traded a lot of players and deciding to have less characters who are lovable homerun hitters and more professional defense oriented players who keep a low profile. I applaud their management for the move and in October their fans will applaud them for as the American League Champions in my prediction.

[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Maybe we should trade him out for Rivera. His ERA must be coming down.

Deal.

Even as a Mariano Rivera fan, he is old.

Papelbon is young, and good.

I like the Youth better.

[simple simon]

it was bound to happen

he is still the best closer in the game

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by simple simon

it was bound to happen

he is still the best closer in the game

I agree but think huston street is just as good, luckily I have both on my roster..

[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

I agree but think huston street is just as good, luckily I have both on my roster..

Huston Street? No way!

Mariano Rivera=Jonathan Papelbon
Eric Gagne=Huston Street

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

Mariano Rivera=Jonathan Papelbon

are you serious ?

have you even been following MLB the year ?

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

Huston Street? No way!

Mariano Rivera=Jonathan Papelbon
Eric Gagne=Huston Street

Huston is an elite closer same as papelbon, both are young aces at the mound..
Mariano rivera is old and done, gagne has potential but keeps getting plagued by injuries..

[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by simple simon

are you serious ?

have you even been following MLB the year ?

Mariano Rivera is my favorite closer.

How can I say someone is better?

[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

Huston is an elite closer same as papelbon, both are young aces at the mound..
Mariano rivera is old and done, gagne has potential but keeps getting plagued by injuries..

So, you think Mariano Rivera=Eric Gagne?

[Lefty Noob]

Well, I think if you were to rate the four right now, not on history, it would be:
Papelbon 1, Street 2, Rivera 3 and Gagne a distant 4 (because of injuries more than anything else).