Red Sox: Jake Diekman could be a terrifying closer if Boston dares

Jake Diekman can emerge a terrifying closer option if the Boston Red Sox want him to be one.

Even though Jake Diekman is not a closer by trade, he could be an answer for the Boston Red Sox in that department, and a terrifying one at that.

The journeyman southpaw is in his first season with Boston. On Sunday Night Baseball vs. the arch rival New York Yankees, Diekman was tasked with getting the save for the visiting team. He struck out Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Joey Gallo on 19 pitches. Diekman was getting some major horizontal movement on his pitches as well. His stuff was electrifying on Sunday.

To set down the heart of the Yankees order with this much movement is a huge boost for Boston.

More importantly, his attitude about being the closer or not will only add to his growing legend.

Boston Red Sox: Jake Diekman could be a scary closer if they let him be one

It is insanely early in his Boston run, but Diekman coming up clutch on a big stage is great. Outside of the struggling Baltimore Orioles, the four other teams in the AL East may have what it takes to contend for a division crown and make serious postseason pushes of their own. Of course, every game in divisional play should be intense this year. Look no further than Sunday Night Baseball.

Ultimately, Diekman’s first save in Boston uniform will carry some weight in the rivalry series for the next several weeks. As strange as it may be, Boston and New York are not playing each other again until early July. Even if the Yankees took two of three in the weekend slate, Boston was able to prevent the series sweep on Sunday night in primetime. Diekman has made a name for himself.

Whether or not the Red Sox roll with Diekman as their full-time closer remains to be seen.