Roche With Toucher & Rich: Is Aceves The Permanent Closer?
The Red Sox lost their opening day game in Detroit 3-2 on Thursday.
The Sox almost sent the game to extra innings with a two-run rally in the top of the ninth, thanks to a David Ortiz sacrifice fly and Ryan Sweeney's two-out triple, both off Detroit's stellar closer Jose Valverde.
Unfortunately for the Sox, Austin Jackson's bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth gave Detroit the win.
WBZ-TV's Dan Roche was out at Comerica Park in Detroit for opening day, and he discussed the loss with 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich on Friday morning.
"Opening day is one of my favorite days of the year, everybody was in a good mood and the players were at the park early."
Earlier this week fans learned that closer Andrew Bailey would undergo thumb surgery and would miss three to four months. The Sox quickly named Alfredo Aceves their replacement closer.
Aceves was called upon to close out the opening day game against Detroit, but gave up the game winning run. Does Roche see Aceves being the permanent closer for the Sox this season?
"I don't know if the word permanent can be used. I think he's the temporary closer and he's Bobby Valentine's closer because of his versatility."
"I think he'll be given a fair opportunity to have that job, but if this persists they may have to go out and find a closer somewhere in the market."
The guys moved on to discuss where they think the Red Sox stand over other the other teams in the AL East.
"I think they're going to have to fight for their playoff lives. I think that they can be a very good team, offensively there's no reason the can't put up runs...The bullpen is the major question mark."
Plus, does Josh Beckett understand why people were making such a big deal about his travels to get his thumb looked at?
