Rick Porcello might get a chance to redeem himself sooner than expected.
The Red Sox ace didn’t live up to his regular-season stature Thursday during Game 1 of Boston’s American League Division Series against the Cleveland Indians, allowing five earned runs on six hits — including three solo home runs — over just 4 1/3 innings in a 5-4 loss. But Porcello’s 72-pitch outing would make him available a day early if necessary.
Red Sox manager John Farrell said before Game 2 on Friday, per MassLive’s Jen McCaffrey, that Porcello could pitch Game 4 if Boston finds itself in need of long relief in Game 2 or 3. Instead of wearing out their relievers, the Red Sox could turn to Eduardo Rodriguez, who’s scheduled to start Game 4.
“It’s going to be dependent upon what we do out of our bullpen,” Farrell said, per McCaffrey. “For instance if there’s a scenario where Eddie Rodriguez ends up pitching out of the bullpen, the fact that Rick went the number of pitches he did, it presents him as potential option depending on what takes place.”
Of course, the Red Sox don’t necessarily want Porcello to start Game 4 because that would mean either another rough outing from one of their starters or an injury. As it stands now, Clay Buchholz is set to pitch Game 3 between David Price and Rodriguez.
Thumbnail photo via Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports Images
