Chowder and Champions
Fansided

Boston Red Sox: Rick Porcello’s quality starts need more support

By Jason Haskins

Jun 2, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (22) walks back to the dugout after the fifth inning during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (22) walks back to the dugout after the fifth inning during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Boston Red Sox right-hander Rick Porcello was dealt another loss on Friday, dropping his 2017 record to 3-7.

Currently the sole righty in the Boston Red Sox starting rotation, Rick Porcello is finding it hard to replicate his Cy Young award-winning season.

Hard luck struck Porcello again on Friday night in Boston’s 3-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. After allowing a couple of early home runs, Porcello lasted six innings while allowing eight hits.

Now with seven losses, Porcello is one loss away from doubling his loss total from 2016.

More from Boston Red Sox

Records–in a case like Porcello’s–can be deceiving. A 4.24 ERA might indicate a slow start for the reigning Cy Young winner. Throw in opponents batting .307 against Porcello and the recipe for success does not favor Porcello.

In his seven losses, though, run support for Porcello has been scarce. The Red Sox–really only gaining steam on offense as of late–have strung together 14 runs in those seven outings.

Overall, Porcello is getting backed with 4.4 runs per game, including twice in which the Red Sox scored 11.

In his career-year last season, Boston’s offense backed Porcello with 6.6 runs per game. They scored in double-digits in six games that Porcello pitched.

And despite the amount of hits and home runs (12) allowed by Porcello, he has pitched six innings or more in 11 of his last 12 starts.

Porcello’s numbers shouldn’t come as too much of surprise. While one hoped he’d be able to duplicate last season’s success, the numbers he’s currently putting up this season are closer to his career averages.

Limiting the long ball

Throughout his career, Porcello has often been found to be in a giving mood when it comes to the long ball.

Part of his success in 2016 (22-4, 3.15 ERA) was due to limiting the ‘opportune’ home run by opponents. He allowed 23–down from 25 in his first year in Boston in 2015–but many were solo shots.

His ERA was also the lowest of his career last season, while in 2017 he’s much closer to his career average of 4.20.

It should also be noted Porcello is striking out more per nine innings this season (8.8) than at any other point in his career.

With Eduardo Rodriguez landing on the disabled list, the Red Sox will need Porcello to continue to give them quality innings. If he can find more consistency in the early innings–avoiding the early 2-0 hole–Porcello’s numbers might start trending towards last season’s.

Next: Patriots Butler and Gilmore a top-5 tandem

The numbers might not currently resemble those of 2016, but Porcello is still giving the Red Sox what they desire. In his two no-decisions, Boston picked up the victory. And with a little nudge from the offense, his record could even itself out soon enough.

Home/Boston Red Sox