Daniel Bard will start today’s 1:05 Grapefruit League game and his performance could mean the difference between being in the 2012 rotation and fading back to the bullpen. During the transition from set-up guy to starter, Bard has been less than spectacular. In over 12 innings he has just six strikeouts and his ERA is over seven. And he has ten walks. Clearly this is not what the Red Sox wanted to see.
Is Bard focusing on stretching out his arm and trying new pitches, or is he just not cut out to be a starter? The Red Sox would like to see those questions answered with a strong start today.
