Can Jonathan Papelbon return to being lights-out as closer?
–Mark, Hopkinton, Mass. I think he deserves a lot of credit for making adjustments, even as a veteran. Sometimes people who have great success do not easily make adjustments or make changes. He has done both. Early in the spring, he worked hard at developing his secondary pitches, throwing many more sliders and split-fingered fastballs. He has transitioned into the season and has successfully used all of his pitches. Last year, he was so fastball-heavy that hitters had to only worry about one pitch, and they could either gear up for it or foul it off. It took a lot more work for him to put guys away. Now just having the other pitches for a hitter to even think about has changed everything. In New York on Monday, for some reason he went back to just fastballs. But to answer the question directly, Papelbon will be lights-out again if he continues what he started. Mike Lowell expressed some frustration before the series finale against the Yankees. Do you think the Red Sox would ever rele
