Red Sox Can Find Much-Needed Pitching Help in Pawtucket
The starting pitching of the Boston Red Sox has been by far the club’s biggest issue through the first 25 games of this season. Opposing teams have dominated Boston’s arms of late. The durability, execution and overall talent level of each member of the rotation has been called into question. The team has dropped 10 of its last 15 games in large part due to the group’s ineptitude.
As things stand right now, the Red Sox are 12-13. They are a woeful 6-7 at Fenway Park and have dropped seven of their last 10 games within the division. Boston trails the New York Yankees by four games for first place. With the pitching staff showing absolutely no sign of turning things around, it may be time to evaluate outside options with the hopes of righting the ship before things worsen.
Every start has not been disastrous, but the inconsistencies each time through the rotation is not conducive to winning. Joe Kelly‘s fourth-inning departure against the Yankees on Sunday marked the sixth occurrence in which a Red Sox starter has been bounced before the fifth inning this season. The Red Sox always fall behind early and chew through their bullpen when it happens. It’s occurring frequently and that’s alarming.
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The Red Sox can wait and look to pursue an elite pitcher as the trade deadline approaches or they can call upon Brian Johnson or Eduardo Rodriguez of the organization’s Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket. Both Johnson and Rodriguez have gotten off to tremendous starts, showcasing much more promise than the likes of Wade Miley and Clay Buchholz.
Johnson, 24, is 3-2 in five starts this season for Pawtucket. The Florida native has amassed a 3.42 ERA and has struck out 27 batters over 23 2/3 innings of work. Rodriguez, 22, is 3-0 in four starts this season. The Venezuelan has a minuscule 1.82 ERA and has struck out 22 over 24 2/3 innings of work. Opposing batters are hitting just .211 off Rodriguez.
Both Johnson and Rodriguez possess far better ERA’s than each Boston starter. They also have more wins. Their combined six wins is one less than the 7 total wins shared among the Boston starters. Justin Masterson‘s 4.71 ERA is the lowest. Wade Miley’s 7.15 is the highest. Rick Porcello is tied with Masterson for the team lead with two wins.
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Such unimpressive statistics from a vastly underachieving group suggest a change to the rotation may be what’s best for the Red Sox moving forward. Sure, Johnson and Rodriguez may not have any Major-League experience, but the Red Sox have nothing to lose. They certainly can’t do any worse than what John Farrell‘s been trotting out to the mound. Perhaps they could even log more than four innings.
The Red Sox will likely allow their current staff a prolonged chance to work their way out the funk since it is early in the season. If things continue to roll downhill, especially with many already anointing the rotation as a failed venture, call-ups for Johnson or Rodriguez could and should happen.