How Many More Starts Will Franklin Morales Make for the Red Sox This Year?

by NESN Staff on Sun, Aug 5, 2012 at 12:13PM

Franklin Morales will be on the bump Sunday in place of an ailing Josh Beckett, who was scratched after still feeling the effects of a back spasm that took him out of his previous start against the Tigers.

It will be Morales' sixth start of the year, and he's performed admirably when in the rotation. In his five starts so far, he has a 2-1 record with a 3.42 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 31 strikeouts. Most impressively, he's struck out 10.6 batters per nine innings in his starts.

With Craig Breslow's addition to the bullpen as another lefty reliever, many have wondered if Morales will move into the starting rotation. Bobby Valentine has offered little to no hints, however, as to what he plans to do with Morales, formerly a highly touted Rockies prospect.

Given the largely inconsistent performance of the Red Sox rotation, though, Morales may end up taking the ball more often.

How many more starts do you think Franklin Morales will make the rest of the season?