What should Red Sox expect from Nick Pivetta this season?
To start the 2023 season, Nick Pivetta has taken the bump for the Sox in stride. Pivetta has provided a spark to the Red Sox this season, allowing only one run in two games this season. With crucial holes in the pitching staff, Pivetta has been able to spring into 2023 showcasing efficient numbers.
On Monday, Pivetta displayed an excellent performance against the best team in baseball. Pivetta took the mound in Tampa allowing only three hits, two walks, and zero earned runs through five innings pitched. Despite Pivetta's tremendous performance, Tampa Bay was able to win the game 1-0 with a crucial solo bomb coming from Brandon Lowe in the bottom of the 8th inning.
Despite the loss, Pivetta came as one of the only bright spots within Monday's gut-punching loss.
Through two starts, Pivetta's posted a sub-1 ERA, retired 12 batters and has only allowed one run.
The Boston Red Sox pitching hasn't been the most consistent to start the season. Collectively, the staff finds themselves ranked middle of the pack early in the 2023 season. Just 11 games into the year, The Red Sox rank 17th in pitching with a team ERA of 4.73 and have allowed 53 runs on the season.
Boston has so far struggled to identify who will be the team's ace this season. Can Nick Pivetta grab the throne as the Red Sox top pitcher?
Can Red Sox SP Nick Pivetta keep this up?
If history is any indication then the records say no. The 30-year old righty has a career ERA of 4.96 and a subpar record of 40 wins and 51 losses.
During his time with the Red Sox, average has been the motto to say the least. In just three seasons, Pivetta has a 21-21 record in 68 games played with the Red Sox. During his time in the beantown, Pivetta presents an ERA of 4.36.
Last year, Pivetta finished with a 10-12 record and an ERA of 4.56 over 33 games played. In Over 179 innings pitched, Pivetta struck out 175 batters and allowed 91 runs, 27 homeruns, and 175 hits.
In the months of June and July, Pivetta posted career low ERA's of 2.11 and 2.22 in 2022. But the struggles would quickly arise for Pivetta. Latter in the 2022 season, Pivetta was not able to look as sharp. Hovering over a sub-5 ERA, Pivetta showcased frustrating outings in the 2022 season.
Sure, Pivetta has shown his ups and downs with his time on the Red Sox, but what we have seen from Pivetta to start the season should be encouraging. Maybe Pivetta has been able to find his stride as a dominant starter for the Red Sox. With just six seasons in, it's now or never for the 30-year old to take that next step as a starter.