Why Red Sox’s Garrett Whitlock Decision Already Looks Like No-Brainer

The Boston Red Sox made several smart decisions in recent days with long-term extensions for Garrett Crochet and Kristian Campbell.

Their offseason decision to have Garrett Whitlock pitch out of the bullpen again already looks like another A+ decision.

Whitlock faltered with injuries and performance over the last three seasons when Boston attempted to turn him into a starter. Entering this season, nearly a two-run difference separated his career numbers as a reliever versus those as a starter.

Whitlock’s taken the ball three times this season and reminded the Red Sox just how dominant he was as a full-time reliever and secret weapon in 2021. He posted an ERA under 2.00 that season and shows every sign thus far that he’ll have similar success in relief in 2025.

Whitlock finished Thursday’s series-clinching victory over the Baltimore Orioles in two innings with just one earned run allowed. He’s struck out six hitters in six innings thus far to the tune of a 1.50 ERA for the Red Sox.

His stuff has the electric feel it did in 2021 and Andrew Bailey can still get the best out of an ever-adjusting arsenal for the Red Sox reliever. His ability to span productive innings, dominate hitters and reset the bullpen will be one of Boston’s greatest benefits in this logical baseball decision.