The Boston Red Sox tonight suffered a 14-2 loss. They faced the best team in the American League, the Detroit Tigers. This loss marks the start of their three-game series. Tanner Houck got the start tonight, but he lasted just 2.1 innings, giving up 11 runs on nine hits. He walked three, hit a batter, and didn’t record a single strikeout.
The questions have begun. Houck made his ninth start of the season tonight. It was the second of in he allowed more than ten runs in less than three innings. In his other seven starts, he posted a 3.89 ERA, with 31 strikeouts in 39 innings. He pitched well in his last two starts, but something has seemed off. He is 0-3 this season with an 8.04 ERA, a 1.69 WHIP, and 32 strikeouts in 43.2 innings. He’s allowed 39 earned runs this season, he didn’t allow his 39th earned run last season until July 28th.
Walker Buehler is due back next week against the New York Mets. Along with the emergence of Hunter Dobbins, the rotation conversation has been put in flux. Dobbins, in four starts for the Red Sox this season, is 2-1. He posts a 2.78 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. The way things have gone for Houck, you almost have to wonder what a rotation should look like. Right now, Garrett Crochet, Lucas Giolito, Walker Buehler, Bryan Bello, and Hunter Dobbins make up the answer. At least until Kutter Crawford returns, which speculations are that it will be in August. Another name that could also return soon is Richard Fitts. As of May 7th, Fitts has resumed his work on the mound. Fitts is 0-2 with a 3.18 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts in 17 innings. Fitts, despite the losses, hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his starts this season. In his last start, he went five shutout innings. He would call out the trainers and pull himself in the sixth inning.
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Boston Red Sox Starting Rotation
Garrett Crochet
The Red Sox ace in his first season in Boston posts a 4-2 record with a 1.93 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and 65 strikeouts in 56 innings. Crochet is seventh in all of baseball in ERA. He ranks fourth in strikeouts. However, he is second in the American League in that category.
Lucas Giolito
Gioito returned to the Red Sox rotation and has made three starts, going 1-1 with a 4.96 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts in 16.1 innings. He turned in his best start in a small sample size last time out, going 6.2 innings, giving up one unearned run on two hits. He walked one and struck out five, picking up his first win since June 28, 2023.
Walker Buehler
Buehler signed this offseason with the Red Sox on a prove it deal. Before ending up on the injured list he had made six starts going 4-1 with a 4.28 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts in 33.2 innings. He is one of the Red Sox reliable arms in the rotation.
Bryan Bello
Bello has made four starts since returning from the injured list, going 2-0 with a 2.01 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts in 22.1 innings. He runs into trouble putting guys on but finds himself pitching his way out of jams. He hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in any of his starts. In this small sample size this season, he has shown his best performance in a Red Sox uniform. It is the best he’s looked in his short career.
The Fifth Spot
Right now, Dobbins should stay in that spot. When Fitts is healthy, it would be worth it to give him another look. Then put Kutter Crawford in the bullpen when he’s healthy. Crawford last season in 33 starts went 9-16 with a 4.36 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, and 175 strikeouts in 183.2 innings. The bullpen may make more sense for Crawford.
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Boston Red Sox Starting Rotation Wrap-Up
The Red Sox will have Bryan Bello on the mound tomorrow. Hunter Dobbins will pitch on Wednesday to wrap up their series with the Tigers. Then they return home for a series with the Atlanta Braves. It lines up to be Garrett Crochet, Lucas Giolito, and Tanner Houck in that series. Will Houck get one more chance on the mound? Or will it be a different pitcher for the Boston Red Sox before Buehler returns?
