CLEVELAND — Craig Breslow could get used to this whole starting thing.
Breslow made 522 career major league relief appearances over 10 seasons before making his first big league start last week for the Boston Red Sox. The 35-year-old, who pitched well in his starting debut, gave it another whirl Saturday night against the Cleveland Indians and excelled for the second straight outing despite the Red Sox’s 2-0 loss at Progressive Field.
So, is Breslow ready to label himself a “starter” rather than a “reliever?”
“I was kind of reluctant to label myself a starter after that first one, but going from a start, preparing and then having another start, I certainly can appreciate the routine and the structure, and it was a lot of fun,” Breslow said with a smile after Saturday’s loss. “Whereas last time it was fun because it was a new experience, I felt like this time I at least had different expectations. I feel like it’s something I can do.”
Wait, seriously?
“I’ll do anything. If someone wants me to play second base, I’ll do that,” Breslow joked before giving a head nod toward Dustin Pedroia’s locker and acknowledging the Sox are pretty well set at second base.
“Like I said, I think I could do it. I felt comfortable the deeper I got into the game (Saturday). I felt like pitching out of the windup I had a little bit better rhythm and a little bit more comfort. Yeah, it’s something I would definitely welcome if anybody was interested in giving me the shot.”
Breslow seems to realize that such a drastic career change, while not unprecedented, is a long shot. According to the lifelong reliever, his agents have discussed a potential transition with teams in the past, but those conversations didn’t go anywhere. It took a very unique set of circumstances for him to garner just one start at the major league level, let alone consideration for a full-time starting gig.
But to be fair, Breslow has made the most of his opportunities. He tossed four shutout innings in his first start last week against the Baltimore Orioles, and he allowed just two earned runs — both on solo homers — over 5 1/3 innings Saturday against the Indians despite suffering the loss.
“I think all pitchers want to start because they can touch and feel and they can make adjustments on the fly,” Red Sox interim manager Torey Lovullo said of Breslow, who’s had some shaky moments as a reliever this season. “It’s not just one inning or one batter or one quick moment where you’ve got to make an adjustment or else you’re out of the game or a ball gets hit. He knows that he’s in there for the long haul and can make those quality adjustments and make good pitches.”
Fellow 35-year-old Rich Hill also has enjoyed a career renaissance over four starts down the stretch with Boston. Hill’s situation is slightly different in that he started earlier in his career, but he hadn’t started since 2009 before going the first seven innings for the Sox on Sept. 13. As such, Breslow picked Hill’s brain and shared a laugh with the veteran, who, like Breslow, will be a free agent this offseason.
“I was just kind of joking with him a couple of minutes ago wondering how many teams out there were looking for comeback, feel-good stories, because we might be competing with each other,” Breslow joked after Saturday’s game.
It’s worth laughing about, sure. Unless you’re a general manager who’d like to give Breslow a shot at starting next season, in which case you have the southpaw’s undivided attention.
Thumbnail photo via David Richard/USA TODAY Sports Images
