Red Sox's Interim Manager Explains Aggressive Garrett Whitlock Decision - RAW CHILI

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Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy made a surprising bullpen decision in the team’s 6-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Sunday.

It seemed like the Red Sox had the chance to avoid the sweep against the Twins, leading 4-3 heading into the sixth inning. Tyron Guerrero recorded two outs in the sixth inning, but Boston made the surprise decision to turn to veteran reliever Garrett Whitlock with two runners on base.

Whitlock, 29, had only pitched three times before the eighth inning in his 19 prior appearances this season before Sunday, and had not been utilized before the seventh a single time this season. The veteran reliever would allow two straight hits, with the Twins scoring three runs to go up 6-4 in their eventual win.

After the Red Sox’s loss, Tracy explained his aggressive decision to use Whitlock earlier than expected.

“Usually, we don’t use Whit for 1+ (innings) but with the top of the lineup coming, the intent was we use him there to try to get out and use him for a 1+ in the seventh,” Tracy said on Sunday, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “If we get through that, we still have Slaten and Chappy lined up. He’s always prepared. We’ll tell him, sometimes (it could be) the sixth or fifth, especially if it’s a big spot and especially if we’re rested and we have Slaten and Chappy (Aroldis Chapman) too.

“Tough, just because you feel like obviously you’re in a position to win a couple of them and then you’re battling back in the others and you feel like you’re right there in the ninth. It ends up being a sweep, so it’s tough. It’s a tough feeling. We were riding high coming in.”

Boston’s bullpen is one of the best in the league, boasting the third-best bullpen ERA in baseball at 3.06, but it fell apart in the team’s loss on Sunday. Though Tracy’s aggressive decision to send out Whitlock early didn’t work, the Red Sox’s interim manager did not regret his decision, as the 29-year-old reliever has been a key piece of the bullpen this season.

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