MLB Insider Names Red Sox’s Biggest Concern During Playoff Push

As the Boston Red Sox enter the stretch run, it’s a good time to pause and ponder what Alex Cora’s club must do to remain a contender rather than a pretender.

With that in mind, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden identified the biggest concern for each playoff hopeful. For the Red Sox, it’s all about the back end of the starting rotation.

“Boston’s rotation is led by ace Garrett Crochet, who is living up to expectations and giving Skubal a real race for the AL Cy Young Award this season,” Bowden wrote. “Combined with Crochet (14-5, 2.38 ERA), Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito have given the Red Sox a strong trio at the top of the rotation; Bello has 10 wins and a 3.07 ERA, while Giolito has a 3.47 ERA over 21 starts.

“However, the back of the rotation could be a concern down the stretch,” Bowden continued. “Walker Buehler has been moved to the bullpen after going 7-7 with a 5.40 ERA, it’s unclear if the Red Sox can rely on Dustin May or others in big games in September, and Richard Fitts (right arm neuritis) just landed on the IL.

“The back of the rotation could be the deciding factor in whether Boston can overtake the Blue Jays in the division or hold off the Yankees — and other AL contenders — for the top wild-card spot,” Bowden concluded.

To that point, the Red Sox still don’t know who will start Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The leading contenders are in Triple-A: Top pitching prospect Payton Tolle and Kyle Harrison, who Boston acquired in the blockbuster Rafael Devers trade.

Should the Red Sox qualify for the postseason, it’s easy to imagine the club riding with Crochet, Bello and Giolito as its top three starters, with all hands on deck should Boston need a fourth.

That would be a good problem to have, since the Red Sox haven’t reached the playoffs since 2021. Boston wakes up Wednesday sitting in first place in the American League Wild Card standings, a half-game up on the New York Yankees.

FanGraphs gives the Red Sox a 93.7% chance of making the playoffs.