Boston Red Sox: 3 players who sparked momentum in shutout vs Rays

1. Martin Perez picks up the Boston Red Sox starting rotation.

With Eduardo Rodriguez shut down for the season, the Boston Red Sox need someone besides Nathan Eovaldi to step up in the starting rotation and get it down on a consistent basis.

Prior to the season, veteran newcomer Martin Perez was seen as an x-factor in the rotation.  His value and performance are even more valuable now if the Red Sox are going to have some sort of season.

Following a lackluster debut, Perez has gotten it down over his last two starts.  In his 5-0, shutout victory over the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday night, the lefty gave the Red Sox the kind of performance off the mound they desperately need.

In five solid innings pitched, he gave up just 4 hits and no earned runs to improve his individual record to 2-1 with a respectable 3.45 ERA.  Most importantly, he kept Rays batters in check with runners in scoring position.

In all, this is the kind of effort the team needs on the mound, especially from a veteran like Martin Perez.  What is important to note about his performance on Wednesday night is the fact that he was given and early 2-0 lead and kept that lead.  The Achilles heel of Red Sox pitching in 2020 is that they have had trouble holding on to leads.

Perhaps, Perez’s solid outing can ignite more consistency out of the starting rotation as a whole, even if most of those starters are either unknown or have limited major league experience.  But, maybe there’s a diamond in the rough in there somewhere.

And if the offense starts clicking, this Boston Red Sox team just may turn it around and give fans a competitive season.