The Boston Red Sox World Series roster is out and Drew Pomeranz is on it. Will Pomeranz pitch well in a clutch situation at baseball’s biggest stage?
The World Series begins tonight for the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. Both teams have had great seasons and the Sox have really exceeded expectations. They really shocked people going into Yankee Stadium in the ALDS and beating them in five games. Then going into Houston in the ALCS and taking care of business there in five games to advance to the World Series for the first time in five years.
This series will be a great one as both are historic franchises. Manager Alex Cora has really done extremely well managing his roster for the ALDS and ALCS. With the World Series roster coming out today, Cora made a surprise move adding left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz.
Pomeranz went 2-6 with a 6.08 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP this season. Against the Dodgers, he’s 1-4 with a 3.48 ERA, a WHIP of 1.277.
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Against their hitters, he’s only given up two home runs in his career. One to Manny Machado and one to Yasmani Grandal. On average, the Dodgers hitters are .205 against Pomeranz according to ESPN. Pomeranz has 12 strikeouts and given up 15 hits in 73 at-bats. The Dodger hitters have a .649 OPS against him.
I’m assuming that Pomeranz comes into the game in the late innings. As a reliever in his career, the lefty is 5-5 with a 3.00 ERA. In 87 innings pitched as a reliever, he’s given up only seven home runs and recorded 90 strikeouts, his WHIP is 1.172.
The reason Cora probably went with Pomeranz over Brandon Workman is that Workman has never faced the Dodgers. Workman made both the ALDS and ALCS rosters but he allowed five runs on seven hits in one inning.
Once again, like many times, this postseason Cora may have pushed the right button. Pomeranz has experience with facing the Dodgers hitters which is crucial this time of year. If Workman had some experience against the Dodger hitters maybe Cora would’ve let him stay on the roster.
As for Steven Wright, he needs surgery on his left knee in the offseason. With Pomeranz not having pitched in over a month why risk someone who is hurt and could make the injury worse by pitching.
The lefty could come in relief during this series and shock everyone by pitching a great inning or two. This could also be a huge test for Pomeranz that may determine if the Sox re-sign him or not. Him not pitching well during the season but pitching well in a clutch situation in the World Series could get him re-signed in Boston.