Boston's Closer by Committee Strategy is Actually Working

No more Craig Kimbrel? No problem, so say the Red Sox.

Sure, there tends to be no like-for-like replacement for an All-Star closer, but the defending World Series champs are managing just fine of late. In fact, after Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless ninth inning Sunday night against the Astros, four different Boston relievers have earned saves this year.

Sure, this was never the plan, but there's something to be said for being a bit unpredictable at the back end.

Ryan Brasier leads the team in saves with six, but he's barely got half of the team's total of 11. Having multiple options, including Heath Hembree, Ryan Brasier, and Matt Barnes, is serving Alex Cora and Co. well, as Boston has now won 14 of its last 19 games after a shaky start to the year.

So, who will it be sealing things up when the Sox hit the road to face the Blue Jays Monday? One thing is likely: Toronto won't be able to do anything but guess. And perhaps that should be the point entirely.