Red Sox Skip Bard’s Start

To prevent Lester and Beckett from having too many days off, the Red Sox decided to skip Bard’s start after last night’s rain out.  Lester will start tonight against the Twins.   Bard will be available out of the bullpen for the next few games but will rejoin the rotation for his next start. 

This move gives Valentine a solid option out of the pen but it is only a temporary fix that may cause more problems then it solves.  Bard is not going to be used as the closer so he could come in and hold the lead in the eighth before Aceves gets the call for the ninth.  Alfredo Aceves has an ERA of 24.00 and has as many blown saves as he does saves.  If Aceves blows a save after Bard pitches there will be tremendous pressure on Valentine to make Bard the closer which then creates a hole in the rotation.