Who the Foulke is Papelbon?

There is an interesting controversy about to start brewing within Red Sox Nation. Monday in Texas, which was opening day for the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox, the Sox got off to a 7-2 lead behind Curt Schilling when Manager Terry Francona called for his closer.

The closer was none other than Keith Foulke, who was the hero closer for the Sox during that Championship season in 2004 - oh, it seems so far away. His saves were not always pretty, but they were effective. However, 2005 was not too good to him as he spent most of the season on the DL with knee problems. He attempted to come back late in the season, but didn't have the stuff, ballooning his ERA out to 5.91 by giving up 30 earned runs in only 43 appearances.

After much scrutiny, Foulke had offseason surgery to repair his knees and showed up for camp ready to go. His spring training was very strong, but he was still under the microscope until he proved differently.

So, back to opening day, top of the 9th, Sox up 7-2 and even though it was not a save situation, in comes "Cardiac Keith" Foulke. He closed out the game, but in one inning two hits and one earned run.

He didn't make an appearance on Tuesday, since the Sox got shelled when knuckleballer Tim Wakefield tossed BP to the Rangers' young and potent lineup.

But, then there was tonight. Newly acquired pitcher Josh Beckett debuted with a 7-inning, 1-run gem, followed by a solid 8th inning by old faithful set-up man Mike Timlin. The score was 2-1 at the start of the 9th. It is time for the closer, but who comes out of the bullpen? Not Cardiac Keith, but rookie heatster Jonathan Papelbon, who is normally a starter, but has been moved to the bullpen since there is no starting spot for him in the rotation. 24-year old Papelbon came up late last season and showed that the hype was real.

Francona didn't hide the fact that Papelbon will be used as the closer if Foulke does not seem to have his stuff. However, he was called in to close after Foulke faltered after his first appearance. Talk radio in the hub ought to be interesting tomorrow.