When Erik Miller on September 16 took the mound in front of the Texas Rangers, it didn't take long for things to go awry. Miller's command has never been perfect, but something was definitely off in Arlington, Texas.
It took only three pitches for the big lefty to plunk Corey Seager, and he walked Jake Burger two batters later. On his lone pitch to Brandon Nimmo, the former New York Met knocked a game-changing RBI double to center field, and things crumbled from there.
Ezequiel Duran's two-RBI single, which gave the Rangers a three-run lead, was the last at-bat of the inning before Miller was spared by Adley Rutschman catching Duran stealing. The outing was Miller's worst since he joined the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline — he allowed three runs on two hits, a walk and a hit batter with one strikeout.
The outing against the Rangers was the second one in as many games that has given Miller trouble. On September 13 against the Kansas City Royals, Miller lasted just a third of an inning after conceding two walks and a fielder's choice. Garrett Whitlock entered after him and gave up a single, but the Royals' lone run of the game was charged to Miller.
Red Sox need Erik Miller to right recent command issues as soon as possible to be right for postseason
After his appearance in Texas, Miller made a concerning statement about his recent struggles. It could be a disastrous sign for Boston's October bullpen.
"Kinda working through some stuff right now," Miller said. "There's some stuff I'm trying to clean up a little bit on the mechanical side. I mean, at some point throughout the year, stuff crops up. I had been doing really well and there are some bad habits I'm kinda falling back into so, yeah, just gotta work through it, gotta get back to what I was doing and go from there."
Miller has been one of Boston's biggest relief weapons since the trade deadline. The Red Sox need him in his best shape all the more with Tyron Guerrero on the injured list and after the announcement that Justin Slaten's season has ended.
Before his shaky command popped up, Miller had done a solid job at limiting free passes, one of the major concerns from his tenure with the Giants. Over his 12 outings in August (including one with the Giants) Miller allowed three walks and a hit batter (0.943 WHIP). Through five outings in September, he's up to six walks and a hit batter (2.077 WHIP). The combination of fatigue and decreased command will make for a brutal outcome for Boston.
Thankfully, the Red Sox are expecting some relief reinforcements for the playoff run. Tanner Houck and Garrett Crochet are working toward returns in long relief. But having them plus prime Miller would be the best outcome.
The Red Sox must work more closely with Miller to address his mechanical issue, whatever it is. Over his last two outings, he's served up damaging pitches or free passes, and that won't get Boston far in October, especially given the fatigue its rotation has been showing.
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