Red Sox activate Garrett Whitlock in time for crucial Game 162

The Red Sox activate Garrett Whitlock in time for crucial Game 162

The Red Sox will be firing on all cylinders for Game 162; Garrett Whitlock is being activated from the 10-day IL.

Whitlock last pitched on September 19, before going on the Injured List with a pectoral strain.

The Red Sox pitching has been a roller coaster ride all season, with several starters being shunted to the bullpen, and several bullpen arms getting hurt or getting placed on the COVID IL throughout the season. But throughout the chaos, Whitlock has been a solid, dependable, dominant contributor.

That Whitlock was a Rule 5 pickup from their eternal rivals, the Yankees, makes his activation – and season as a whole – at this crucial time even sweeter.

With Chris Sale starting Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Washington Nationals and Whitlock being available out of the pen, the Red Sox aren’t pulling punches. An improbable season has culminated in one of the most epic showdowns in the history of the American League, and this rookie will be right in the thick of it.

Whitlock made his debut on April 4, and is quietly having one of the best rookie seasons of any pitcher in the game. He has a 1.99 ERA over 45 appearances, including 11 games closed and two saves. 33 of his 45 appearances this season have been scoreless; he has only allowed two earned runs in four times, and never more. Over 72 1/3 innings, he has 79 strikeouts, and has only issued 17 walks, and allowed 16 earned runs.