Lucas Giolito missed all of the 2024 season with an injury. He began the season on the injured list, but made his Boston Red Sox debut in late April and has made 26 starts this season.
Over his last two starts, his velocity has dipped. On the season, his four-seam fastball has averaged 93.3 mph. In his last start, it averaged 92.6 mph. On Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays, it was down even further to 92.1 mph.
The righty isn’t relying on velocity to blow hitters away, but every mile per hour lost reduces his margin for error when it comes to command. A 95 mph fastball can mask poor location better than a 91 mph fastball can.
On top of that, his command has diminished recently. In his last start against the Athletics, he walked five hitters in 4 1/3 innings. On Tuesday, he walked another four in 4 2/3 innings. He only allowed one run, but he clearly wasn’t as effective as he was earlier in the year.
It’s fair to wonder if making 26 starts one year removed from major arm surgery has left the Red Sox starter fatigued, but he’s confident he can improve going forward.
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“I don’t know, maybe it’s the year off and then pitching and the body is just feeling it,” Giolito said. “We have ways to deal with that and get back on track, so I’m just gonna continue to put that work in.”
After Giolito departed, the bullpen pitched the final 4 1/3 innings without allowing a run. Justin Wilson recorded the win and Aroldis Chapman recorded the save as the Red Sox won, 4-1. Despite a laborious start by Giolito, he was just happy to come away with the win for the team.
“It wasn’t pretty, but at this point, winning games is all that matters … it’s about winning these games, getting into the postseason,” Giolito said.
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Featured image via Jordan Johnson/Imagn Images
