Garrett Whitlock gives Red Sox just what they needed in gem vs Angels

It always gets better the second time around.  Making his second start of the season, Boston Red Sox righty Garrett Whitlock gave the team just what they needed pitching 7 innings and giving up just one run in a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday afternoon.

The win not only secured a series win over the Angels during this 4-game series, but it also gave the bullpen some much needed rest.  Furthermore, it showed the type of starting pitcher Whitlock can be.

Talk about a boost in both the starting rotation and bullpen, what Whitlock did Sunday afternoon countered his first start of the season in which he was knocked around by the Tampa Bay Rays.  What pitcher has not struggled against the Rays this young season?  But the fight to come back and account for that disappointing start is what makes Whitlock a special pitcher.

Red Sox starter Garrett Whitlock masterful in seven-inning gem

With the only Red Sox offense coming on a two-run homer off the bat of Justin Turner, Whitlock had to be masterful in pitching the seven innings as he gave up just three hits and the one run.  The 99-pitch effort definitely put a big smile on the face of his manager.

"“We needed an outing like that,” Red Sox skipper Alex Cora said following the game, via MLB.com.  “We needed at least six.  We were very short in the bullpen.  And he did an amazing job.  Good fastball, good tempo.  Offspeed pitches were great.  I think he got a few swings and misses on a slider, which is something new.  Just what we needed.  He was really good today.”"

He was so good, he not only produced the longest outing for a starter this season, but his pitching also led to the shortest game the Red Sox have played in since back in the 1900s.  the game took just one hour and 57 minutes.

In overpowering an Angels lineup that includes Mike Trout and Shohei Othani, Whitlock is more than satisfied with his first win of the 2023 MLB season.

"“They’re a very talented lineup, top to bottom,” Whitlock said, via Masslive.com.  “There’s no easy breaks in there.  It’s definitely one that I’m happy about.  Use it to build forward and go on from there.”"

It is just one start, but Whitlock’s performance on Sunday is what the Red Sox had in mind when they slipped him into the starting rotation.  He displayed a good tempo and delivered strikes which is what the team needs from a few of their starters, particularly their other young righty who will be making his season debut on Monday…Brayan Bello.

In all, the Boston Red Sox are back to .500 folks.  Take away an opening series sweep to the Baltimore Orioles and a four-game sweep at the hands of the Rays, the Red Sox would have a winning record.  Unfortunately, those are the teams they will have to beat to make this season a competitive one.

With more starts like the one Whitlock produced in Game 3 of this current four-game series, the Sox would give Red Sox Nation something to have hope about through the summer months.