Boston Red Sox: Expectations soaring high heading into 2018 playoffs
By Justin Keene
Strength in starters
With a weak bullpen comes more strain on your starters. Chris Sale is coming off a concerning shoulder injury.
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In the entire month of September, he has 7.1 innings pitched over 3 starts. His most recent coming on September 21 against the Cleveland Indians, where he allowed 2 runs, on 5 hits, fanning 7 in 3.1 innings of work. The Sox need Sale to be up to speed come October. His next start will be on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles.
Along with Sale being a concern in the rotation, David Price is one as well. He has been abysmal in the post season throughout his career.
Price has been Boston’s best starter since the All Star break, finally looking like the $217 million man we signed in December of 2015. Price has a 2.00 ERA with 62 strikeouts, 13 walks, 44 hits in 10 games started since the Mid-Summer Classic. Price needs to keep this up if the Boston Red Sox are to be successful in the Postseason.
Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez look to be the 3rd and 4th starters in the playoffs. Both have had their ups and downs this season, but can provide solid starts in the later games of a playoff series. The Red Sox also have Nathan Eovaldi, Brian Johnson, and Hector Velazquez to bring on in long relief if need be.