It's early, but Red Sox bullpen could be cause for concern

It's never strong practice to overreact to anything that happens on Opening Day, but what transpired during the bottom of the eighth inning of the Boston Red Sox loss to the Tampa Bay Rays could be a glimpse of a potential weakness for the reigning American League East champs.

Armed with a 4-0 lead, Red Sox relievers Joe Kelly and Carson Smith imploded against a light-hitting Rays lineup, coughing up six runs off three hits and four walks.

"That's pretty pathetic what I did," Kelly told reporters following the 6-4 loss. "Can't do that. I don't think I've ever done it, and it's probably going to be the last time."

Unexpected things can happen in the season's curtain-raiser, but not being able to close out a Rays team that spent the winter clearing out the roster is certainly getting off on the wrong foot. Great teams shut the door on weaker opponents. Tampa managed just one hit over the first seven innings and entered the eighth with their No. 8 and No. 9 hitters. It's not like this comeback was mounted by the middle of the New York Yankees order.

"It's baseball," rookie manager Alex Cora said. "We all know it's going to happen. I guess, get it out of the way right away."

Offseason avoidance

After finishing with the fewest home runs in the American League in 2017, the Red Sox opted to spend on offense this winter with the addition of J.D. Martinez, while re-signing Mitch Moreland and Eduardo Nunez. Of the $127 million committed to free agents, not a single dollar went to a reliever.

In Dave Dombrowski's defense, there is some credible reasoning behind that decision. This is virtually the same relief group - minus Addison Reed - that finished second in the majors in ERA and fourth in WHIP last season.

But Reed was also a major addition to last year's roster at the non-waiver deadline - one the Red Sox desperately needed as they had issues piecing together a bridge to Craig Kimbrel. The All-Star closer was becoming overworked and acknowledged his preference was to be used for only one inning. Prior to Reed's arrival, Kimbrel was tasked with six outings in which he needed to record at least four outs. He faced just one such instance after the trade.

For the record, Reed tossed two no-hit innings for the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day. The Red Sox allowed him to walk, however, as they believed Smith and Tyler Thornburg could fill the void. Smith said he struggled with his command during Thursday's outing and it will likely take some time for him to get comfortable in high-leverage situations again, having only made eight appearances late last year following his return from Tommy John surgery. Meanwhile, Thornburg is still at least a month away after last year's season-ending shoulder surgery and has yet to even throw a pitch since the Red Sox acquired him 15 months ago.

As successful as last season's group was, it's never smart in baseball to look at the past. Performances can change drastically from season to season, especially in the bullpen.

The Red Sox and Yankees are expected to be neck-and-neck for top spot in the division this season and the two teams couldn't have had more polar opposite performances to start the season. The Bronx Bombers pounded the Blue Jays 6-1, with the bullpen allowing just one hit over 3 1/3 innings.

Boston is armed with a strong rotation - once Eduardo Rodriguez and Drew Pomeranz come off the disabled list - and believes pitching is the way to combat the Yankees' overpowering lineup over the course of 19 games this season. But, as good as the starters are, they can't throw all nine innings, and they'll need the bullpen to hold up. It's clear New York, possessing five relievers who could close for a majority of teams, has the distinct advantage over its rival in the bullpen, and that could be what decides the race down the stretch.

It's best not to overreact. The Red Sox were one of four teams to blow at least a four-run lead on Opening Day. But if Kelly continues to deal with control issues, Smith doesn't return to the pitcher he was prior to Tommy John surgery, and Thornburg's comeback date stretches further into the season, Boston's strength from a season ago could quickly become its biggest weakness.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)