Just six games into the season, the Boston Red Sox find themselves two games under .500. I want to drive home the notion of it being early in the season, but the Red Sox have got to figure it out on the mound.
Six games into the season and the Red Sox offense has been firing on all cylinders. The offense has produced 35 runs, 55 hits, and 33 RBIs. On the flip-side, the Sox pitching has been some of the worst pitching we have seen in the league.
Lackluster pitching has created early concerns for the clubhouse. The Boston Red Sox find themselves ranked 26th in pitching. In only 63 innings, the Red Sox have allowed 41 runs, 67 hits, and 14 home runs. The Red Sox pitching has allowed a combined ERA of 5.57 and an opposing batting average of .271.
One of the biggest issues the Sox have faced in their pitching struggles has been giving up early leads. Through seven games the starting rotation has given up seven runs within the first inning. The early deficits have become an uphill battle for the offense as well. In five of the seven games played the opposing team has scored before the Red Sox.
With the starting rotation struggling the Sox look to Worcester as they anxiously await the returns of Garret Whitlock and Brayan Bello.
Garret Whitlock and Brayan Bello set to rejoin the Red Sox next week
"Everything seems to be trending in the right direction."
— NESN (@NESN) April 6, 2023
Julian McWilliams on Garrett Whitlock and Brayan Bello.@byJulianMack | @TomCaron | #RedSox pic.twitter.com/fwdNqg9b2N
It's no surprise what the Red Sox will be getting back in return. Garret Whitlock has mustered up a tremendous start to his young career. In only two seasons, Whitlock has a combined record of 12-6 an ERA of 2.73, and 162 strikeouts during his time with the Red Sox.
Early in his career, Whitlock has shown success starting on the mound and coming from the bullpen. Whitlock has started in nine games and has eight saves from the pen.
Whitlock started the 2023 season in Worcester preparing for his return to the big leagues. Whitlock pitched four innings in his latest assignment allowing six hits, one run, and six strikeouts. Whitlock's dominating Worcester performance gives the Sox some much-needed ammunition to the rotation.
His counterpart, Brayan Bello will return to the rotation next week in hopes of adding reinforcements to the pitching staff as well. Red Sox manager Alex Cora has shown his interest in Bello's recent rehab performances stating,
"“He threw the ball well, Velo was good. Everything went well. Everybody’s pleased. ""Alex Cora on Brayan Bello
Bello threw 72 pitches in five innings at his latest rehab start. Bello is scheduled to make one more before returning to the 40-man roster. The 23-year-old rising star has shown flashes of stardom during his time with the Red Sox last year and the Red Sox look forward to a promising second year.
Both Whitlock and Bello will give the Red Sox the ability to add depth to the roster. With pitching being the number one concern for the Red Sox, it seems like these two couldn't come any sooner.