The Boston Red Sox have certainly disappointed in the beginnings of the 2019 season. I have a few selected good news and bad news items to offer that may be a trend.
The catching status was an offseason issue that gathered a lot of internet ink. The three-man rotation was in a state of flux until the Red Sox finally sent Blake Swihart to Arizona in a forgettable trade, but one item of note has my attention and that is Christian Vazquez’s four home runs. Vaz’s top total was five in 345 PA’s in 2017. But if the over/under for 2019 is 12 I’ll take the under.
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Last season Ryan Brasier had a 2.2 BB/9 and in the early going it is now a 1.7 BB/9. Brasier has done all one could ask for replacing Craig Kimbrel as the closer. The only concern for statistical junkies is his 4.84 FIP. So far, however, Brasier has been the real deal at closer with six saves in six chances.
Rick Porcello usually gives up a notch over a hit an inning in his career, but this year Porcello has gone to extremes on that stat. The 14.8 H/9 explains his ponderous earned run average and each loss is another reduction in his market value entering free agency. I expected a great season from Porcello and still may get it.
What you see is what you get with Jackie Bradley Jr. who is now making the Mendoza Line almost unreachable. Bradley’s hitting funk is now bordering on catastrophic for the lineup. After a solid spring training (.326) and an ALCS MVP Award, I thought Bradley would have a big year. So far it is a dud.
Is it a surprise that Rafael Devers treats every ground ball like it carries the Bubonic Plague? To me, it certainly isn’t since Devers has been a fielding disaster at every level and despite hard work, it is simply not improving. Last season Devers led all AL third basemen in errors and is again leading the league, but he won’t match last year. Why? The kid’s hitting is equally awful. May catch some significant pine time. Time to think trade, DH, or first base.
Mitch Moreland has started on fire and is a key cog in a rather out of synch offense, but this is not unusual for Moreland. Moreland’s career has a first-half .263 average and a .236 second half. Will this year be different with Steve Pearce available? I think it just may be.
Is Mookie Betts going to go the same way as Andrew McCutchen? McCutchen peaked at 26-years-old and an MVP Award and then started a slow decline that picked up speed in a downward trend. So far Betts has done little to show he is the equal of Mike Trout or several others in the AL but is he too good to fail?
Both Hector Velazquez and Marcus Walden have been instrumental in the early going. Velazquez certainly handled himself well in 2018 and has continued this year. Walden finally made it to The Show last year and has three wins cleaning up the detritus left by the starters.
Eduardo Rodriguez came to spring training in great shape and looked primed for a big year. So far E-Rod has done little to state he is taking his undeniable talent to the next level. What is hiding his dismal start is the fact the rest of the rotation is equally awful.
It hasn’t been the type of season to write home about but the campaign is still young for the Red Sox. With the hopes of a title defense on their minds, they’ll need the disappointments to turn it around and the surprised to keep doing what they’re doing.