Dave Dombrowski and Alex Cora Totally Blew it Thinking This Red Sox Bullpen Would Survive

Boston's bullpen was the talk of the offseason, namely because of Dave Dombrowski's unwillingness to replenish it despite the losses of Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel.

Now, as the relief core flounders, it's clear Dombrowski and Red Sox manager Alex Cora blew it in thinking that this group of guys could keep the team competitive.

Tuesday's meltdown put their greatest weakness on full display. The bullpen coughed up seven runs across the eighth and ninth innings, blowing 3-0 and 5-2 leads.

The crushing defeat now gives the team nine blown saves on the year, four of which have come in the ninth inning or later. They've been running on fumes from the start, and it was foolish to think that the supporting cast outside of Matt Barnes and Brandon Workman could succeed.

The talent simply isn't there. Ryan Brasier, last year's breakout star, now sports a 3.97 ERA and a 5.59 FIP after surrendering three runs without recording an out against the Indians.

Unproven players such as Marcus Walden and rookie Travis Lakins have been spotty at best for the Red Sox. Their offseason project, Colten Brewer, pitched so poorly that he was demoted to Triple-A.

It's clear now they should have at least attempted to add some talent for the late innings. The prices for the likes of Adam Ottavino weren't exactly out of reach for them in the offseason.

This isn't the iron-willed group of veterans from 2018.

No, this year's bullpen is a largely underwhelming group of unproven arms that should not have been expected to shoulder as heavy a load as they have, and the Red Sox are paying the price for thinking they could handle it.