With only one week until the start of the MLB Playoffs, the Boston Red Sox’s pitching staff is in good shape. While their lineup has been hit hard by injuries, their starting rotation and bullpen have both remained largely healthy.
That’s good news for the Red Sox, who are well-positioned for October if they hang on and make the postseason. Garrett Crochet is lined up to start the first game of the AL Wild Card Round next week, followed by Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello.
That trio has been excellent for Boston this year, combining to go 38-17 with a 3.12 ERA in 499 1/3 innings. They’re capable of carrying the Red Sox in a short series.
The depth behind them is a bit iffy, however. Connelly Early and Payton Tolle are both rookies, while Kyle Harrison has just one full season under his belt. None of them has pitched in the playoffs before.
Boston’s bullpen is also strong, especially on the backend. Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock have been two of the best relievers in baseball this year, allowing the Red Sox to shorten games by several innings when they have a lead.
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Out of 15 playoff contenders, The Athletic ranked Boston’s staff seventh. While they expressed concerns about depth and the team’s unimpressive 8.46 K/9 rate (18th in MLB, third-lowest on the list), they praised the elite talent of Crochet and Chapman.
“This could be a staff built for October…an ideal staff for a short series,” The Athletic writes.
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That’s encouraging for the Red Sox, who may need to rely on their arms to carry them in the postseason. Their lineup has struggled without Roman Anthony, frequently coming up short with runners in scoring position and ranking 19th in runs since he went down.
This week will be a big test for Boston’s staff against a pair of first-place teams. If the Red Sox’s hurlers can hold their own against the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers, that bodes well for their chances in October.
Featured image via Jordan Johnson/Imagn Images
