Now in his fourth season with the Boston Red Sox, Brayan Bello has taken a major step forward this year. After firing six innings of one-run ball against the Kansas City Royals on Monday, he’s 8-5 with a career-best 3.03 ERA this season, emerging as a legitimate No. 2 starter behind Garrett Crochet.
Before Bello’s latest dominant outing, Alex Cora explained why he thinks the 26-year-old right-hander has been so much better this season.
“I think mentally, he’s a lot different than last year early in the season…He can pitch in day games now. Having his family here means a lot,” Cora said during his pregame press conference. “They’ve been here most of the time, that really helps.”
Cora’s quote is a good reminder that ballplayers are human. Bello, who is from the Dominican Republic, was homesick and missed his family last season, but is more at ease now that his wife and kids are around.
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Cora also alluded to Bello being more comfortable in the big leagues and in Boston. He’s grown a lot as a person and a pitcher over the last four years, maturing into a more consistent, high-caliber starter.
“Although he’s not a veteran, he’s been around this group for a while, just like (Ceddanne Rafaela),” Cora said. “They’re still young, we committed a lot of money to both of them. They’ve been through the low of lows, and now they’re enjoying this part of the season. They have learned what it takes to play in this city, and so far, so good.”
Bello has been the definition of consistency this year, allowing three earned runs or fewer in 19 of his 20 starts. After struggling to pitch deep into games early in the season, he’s notched nine quality starts in his last 12 outings with a 2.61 ERA during that span.
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Bello will look to keep rolling in his next scheduled start against the San Diego Padres this weekend.
Featured image via David Butler II/Imagn Images
