Red Sox line up rotation for second half
By Sean Penney
The Boston Red Sox have mapped out their rotation coming out of the All-Star break, which will include a couple of failed starters rejoining the staff.
The All-Star festivities give teams a few days off, allowing them to reset their starting rotation coming out of the break. Prior to their last game before the break, the Boston Red Sox revealed how they intend to line up their rotation to begin the second half.
Eduardo Rodriguez will be recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to start the first game coming out of the break on Friday against the New York Yankees. The 23-year old lefty had a delayed start to the season while recovering from a knee injury suffered in spring training. He joined the Red Sox rotation at the end of May, but struggled with the altered delivery he used to compensate for his knee.
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E-Rod carries an unsightly 8.59 ERA through eight starts at the big league level this season. He failed to make it out of the third inning in his last appearance, coughing up 9 earned runs to the light-hitting Tampa Bay Rays, which earned him a demotion back to Pawtucket.
He has only made two starts since he was shipped back to Triple A, allowing 2 earned runs over 10 innings between those starts. Apparently the Red Sox saw enough to convince them that Rodriguez is ready to help them again.
"“There’s been some adjustments made to his hand position,” manager John Farrell told reporters, per WEEI.com. “It was a seven-inning and a rain-shortened three inning outing in which he’s pitched down there. The first inning in his second start – took him an inning to get into things, but the seven innings prior was sharp, was powerful. I think he’s by all reports and watching video of him looks like he’s gaining some comfort with the hand position that has been widely talked about. Required needed adjustments have been made.”"
Steven Wright will start the second game in New York. The knuckle ball pitcher has been among the best in the league, carrying a 2.68 ERA into the break. Wright was selected to the All-Star team, so the chance that he may pitch at least an inning on Tuesday is one reason the Red Sox aren’t using their best starter in the first game out of the break.
He’ll be followed by David Price, whose rocky first half has some questioning if he’s still worthy of being called an ace. His 4.64 ERA says no, but his 10.06 K/9 suggests he’s still capable of dominance.
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Rick Porcello will get the start when the Red Sox return home for a brief two-game series against the San Francisco Giants. After a brutal first season in Boston, Porcello has turned things around this year. He’ll never live up to that albatross of a contract, but he carries an 11-2 record and respectable 3.66 ERA into the break.
That leaves the last spot in the rotation to Clay Buchholz, who the team will reluctantly turn to once again for lack of a better option. He’ll replace Sean O’Sullivan, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday with left knee tendinitis. This opened a roster spot for the recently acquired Brad Ziegler, who will take Buccholz’s spot in the bullpen.
It’s unclear when Buchholz will take the mound. With an off day on July 18, the Red Sox don’t actually need a fifth starter until July 23. They would be wise to hold off on using the erratic Buchholz until it becomes absolutely necessary. Perhaps by that point the Red Sox will have pulled off another trade to acquire a more reliable starter, negating the need for Buchholz.
The Red Sox have given us their game plan for the second half, but things can change quickly with the trade deadline approaching. Nothing is set in stone, but at least we no know what to expect based on what the roster looks like today.