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Boston Red Sox: 3 regular season goals for Rick Porcello in 2019

By William Hyland

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Rick Porcello #22 of the Boston Red Sox is removed from the game during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Three of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Rick Porcello #22 of the Boston Red Sox is removed from the game during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Three of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Boston Red Sox Rick Porcello (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox Rick Porcello (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Will Rick Porcello have another solid season in a contract year with the Boston Red Sox?

The 2019 is a contract year for Rick Porcello. This means we should get the best possible version of the Boston Red Sox right-handed starter.

During the 2016 season, Porcello was dynamite. He won the AL Cy Young, was incredible at home, and led the Red Sox to the postseason. In 2017, he reverted to his old ways and struggled with the home-run ball and consistency. Last season, he was a workhorse, starting 33 games for the Sox.

But as we head into the 2019 season, what should we expect from Rick Porcello? We’ve seen what he can do, but will he put it all together? Will he struggle to avoid the home run ball? Can he stay healthy? Can he keep his ERA down?

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These question marks should be goals for Porcello as 2019 commences. Continue reading to discover more about what these could mean for the season.

Avoiding the home-run ball

In the past, one of Porcello’s problems has always been the home run ball. As a pitcher who relies on contact to get hitters out – especially through the sinker ball – he is often vulnerable to home runs. He has allowed 20-plus home runs in every season since 2015, including 38 in 2017. Clearly, if Porcello is going to excel in 2019, he will have to avoid allowing homers to opposing hitters.

I believe that he will be able to accomplish this based on the fact that he is becoming more of a power pitcher as opposed to one that pitches to contact. Additionally, since Chris Sale and David Price have joined the rotation, they have taken pressure off Porcello in terms of being the ace – despite the fact that Porcello has won a Cy Young award.

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