In their June 9-11 series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Boston Red Sox finally got some longevity out of their starting rotation.
Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito and Walker Buehler each posted starts of at least six innings against the Sox's division rivals. They took some weight off the bullpen and carried Boston to its second-straight series win after battling severe inconsistencies in the early goings of the season.
Aside from Garrett Crochet, the Red Sox's rotation has struggled to limit runs and go deep into games. Five of Bello's six starts in June lasted less than five innings, and both Buehler and Giolito have been rocked in very short appearances — Buehler let up five runs in two innings against the Yankees on June 6 and Giolito allowed seven runs to the Angels in 1.2 innings on June 4.
Boston's rotation's recent success showed how important quality starting pitching can be, especially when the offense strikes out an average of over nine times per game. The Red Sox will need all the stability they can get from their pitching as they quest to make the postseason for the first time in four seasons, and insider Ian Browne of MLB.com suggests they may look for rotation reinforcements at the trade deadline.
Red Sox insider predicts team will add much-needed starting pitching before the trade deadline
"When we get to July, I think you'll see Craig Breslow add at least one starting pitcher to fortify this rotation that, let's face it, it hasn't been as good as anyone expected," Browne said in a June 10 mailbag. "But they need to improve their pitching before that."
Boston's 4.51 starter ERA is the seventh-highest in the league and its 6.91 first-inning ERA is lower than only the Rockies', who are on pace to become the worst team of all time this season. First-inning implosions and constant long outings by the bullpen aren't sustainable long-term. Not only is it overbearing on the offense to have to play for a comeback so often, but the demand on the bullpen will exhaust it soon enough.
The trade deadline picture is still pretty clouded across the league, with just a few clear sellers on the market. The Red Sox, an underwhelming team with a sub-.500 record, could also sell if they don't improve soon enough, although it'll be inexcusable after their offseason additions. MLB insider Jim Bowden on June 12 tabbed the Diamondbacks and Orioles as likely sellers, and impending free agent pitchers like Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Zach Eflin could help Boston balance its rotation. (He also mentioned the Angels' Tyler Anderson, who seems like an unlikely choice after his recent pregame tiff with Red Sox first base coach Jose Flores.)
Against the Rays, Bello, Buehler and Giolito's starts were a breath of fresh air. None of the three pitchers has shown they can reliably repeat such a performance this season, and the Red Sox need long outings from more than just Crochet. Trading for another pitcher would lift Boston's rotation, even if Bello, Buehler and Giolito regress from their recent performances.