Could Red Sox reliever David Aardsma be pitching himself into a more prominent role with the club?
Used primarily in mop-up duty most of the season, Aardsma has been nearly untouchable in his last six outings and overpowering for the last month.
Aardsma struck out the side again this afternoon against the Cardinals. In two innings in this series, he has fanned all six batters he has faced. Over his last six appearances, Aardsma has allowed just two hits and one walk in 6 1/3 innings while fanning 10 without allowing a run. Over the last month he has pitched 12 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and two runs, while walking five and whiffing 16.
In 31 outings for the Red Sox this season, Aardsma is 2-1 with a 2.60 ERA. In 34 2/3 innings he has given up only 24 hits and struck out 36. He has walked 21 but has cut down on those during the last month.