The Boston Red Sox have had one of the most reliable bullpens in MLB this season. Its combined 3.50 ERA ranks third among all teams, but recent games have revealed that the back of Boston's bullpen is quite unstable.
Jordan Hicks has posted one of the rockiest relief performances for the Red Sox this season. His struggles continued on August 18, when he entered in the ninth inning and the Orioles had a 4-1 lead. Hicks allowed two runs on two hits and hit a batter to put the game firmly out of Boston's reach. After the loss that has the Red Sox's Wild Card spot in precarious territory, Alex Cora had a strange response to Hicks' troubles.
“Again, he didn’t finish the slider. Foul tip with two strikes, and then a fastball up that the guy got to it. So we’re gonna continue to work with him. We’re not gonna give up,” Cora said (via Tom Carroll of WEEI).
Cora's response seemingly lacks urgency after multiple botched performances by the bullpen, quite a few led by Hicks. He has struggled all season long, even with the Giants before Craig Breslow traded Rafael Devers for him. Hicks has posted a 6.61 ERA in 62.2 innings on the season, and a 7.07 ERA with an ugly 1.71 WHIP in his 15 appearances with the Red Sox. Things have only gotten worse in recent games, and he's racked up nine runs in his last seven innings pitched.
The Red Sox can no longer ignore Jordan Hicks' struggles in every in-game situation
In fairness, Hicks didn't have help against the Orioles. Two of the Red Sox's three runs came in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the offense was virtually non-existent until that point. Jovani Morán also surrendered two runs on a walk and two hits in the seventh inning, but he was swiftly optioned after the game. Hicks' longer leash doesn't make any sense, especially for a team as desperate to make the playoffs as the Red Sox.
Boston's bullpen's issues go beyond Hicks, but the former Giant's performance can't be ignored. He hasn't been able to limit damage, no matter the situation he finds himself in, and his performance against the Orioles came on a full week of rest — Richard Fitts may even be a better option out of the bullpen at this point.
The Red Sox, like every team in contention, could've used more relief pitching depth at the trade deadline, and their lack of additions is coming back to haunt them. Hicks' body of work this season has been hard to watch, and it's even harder now that every game counts for so much.