As if the Boston Red Sox needed any more controversy in their clubhouse, the team announced Saturday it has suspended closer Alfredo Aceves for three games for "conduct detrimental to the team."
According to
a report in the Providence Journal, Aceves may have been dirty about the fact he didn't get the call for the save on Saturday.
"Aceves was visibly angry in the clubhouse after Friday night's win," the report says
, "which was closed out by Andrew Bailey. Aceves slammed the door on his way in and out of manager Bobby Valentine's office after the game." Bailey was supposed to be Boston's regular closer all season but has been out due to injury.
Aceves blew the save Thursday night against the Angels, giving up five runs in just over an inning of work in an eventual 14-13 loss.
With Bailey healthy, oddsmakers likely aren't going to make any adjustments to Red Sox lines but you have to wonder how more upheaval is going to impact the team on the field. They are already reeling from losing their best hitter and two other big names
in a huge trade with the Dodgers on Friday.
Boston has lost five of its last six games heading into Sunday's action, where they're a -140 favorite at home against Kansas City. The Sox are 7-16 in their last 23 games, a streak that would have cost the $100-per-game bettor a total of $1,209.