The Boston Red Sox called Payton Tolle up from AAA to hold the rotation over until Garrett Crochet returned from his shoulder/lat injury. But even once the "War Pig" is set to return (whenever that ends up happening), Tolle has done enough to keep his spot in Boston's rotation.
The Red Sox should keep Payton Tolle in the rotation
Tolle showed some flashes after he made his major league debut last August (in his first start, he gave up three hits, two earned runs, walked two batters, and struck out eight in 5.1 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates), but he's been even better this season.
Through his first eight starts this season, the Oklahoma native has recorded a 3-2 record, a 2.28 ERA, a 0.972 WHIP, and a 3.92 SO/BB ratio in 47.1 innings. And, according to ESPN.com, his five quality starts are tied with Sonny Gray and Connelly Early for most on the team.
We're still early in Tolle's MLB career, but it's clear that he has the talent and the stuff to continue performing at a high level (not to mention he's probably the hardest-throwing starting pitcher in Boston's rotation as someone who can hit 100 MPH seemingly with ease). Even once Crochet returns from his injury, the Red Sox need to keep Tolle around.
Payton Tolle's performance is just one part of Boston's pitching success
Things haven't gone all that well for the Red Sox this season. They are currently 26-34 and own the worst record in the AL East. They fired Alex Cora after 27 games this season (10-17 record), and it hasn't been all that much better under interim manager Chad Tracy.
Additionally, while they are starting to turn things around, Boston's offense has been one of the worst across the majors this season (it ranks 29th in home runs with 45, 26th in runs scored with 241, tied for 29th in RBIs with 231, and 23rd in SLG with a .381, all according to ESPN.com).
But despite all of the Red Sox' struggles, their starting pitching has actually been solid, even with Crochet having been out of action for over a month at this point.
In addition to Tolle, Boston is getting good play out of Gray (6-1, 3.06 ERA in 50 innings), Early (5-3 record, 3.26 ERA in 66.1 innings), Ranger Suarez (2-3 record, 3.38 ERA), and Brayan Bello has had some fantastic moments as well.
The Red Sox haven't had as much success as they have wanted to so far this season, but that's not to the fault of their pitching staff, which has mostly been stellar up to this point.
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