Surprising Red Sox Rotation Just Did Something Not Done By Club In Over Five Years
The Boston Red Sox already have surprised some people this season and isn't even halfway over.
Boston entered the season widely expected to finish in last place in the American League East and potentially not even top 2022's win total of 78 games. Although plenty of time remains in the season, Boston is in fourth place in the AL East at 26-22 and is just two and a half games behind the rival New York Yankees for the third American League Wild Card spot.
The Red Sox's offense was the biggest reason for the team's success early on, but as the starting rotation has gotten healthier, it has started to carry its weight. Chris Sale has begun to look like his old self, lefty James Paxton has shined since returning to the hill, and Boston has gotten some solid performances out of its youngsters.
Boston's rotation has taken just a leap forward that it has compiled a minuscule 2.09 ERA over the last five starts. To go along with that, the rotation has allowed six hits or fewer in each of the last five starts which is just the third time a Red Sox club has done so over a five-game stretch in the last 30 years, and the first time since 2016, according to Sox Notes' J.P. Long.
Over the last five games, Boston is 3-2 but has lost each of its last two contests. Pitching hasn't been the club's biggest issue though. Boston began the improbable five-game pitching stretch with Brayan Bello allowing just three hits to go along with no runs over five innings pitched against the Seattle Mariners on May 17. Paxton followed it up with a gem of his own against the San Diego Padres that saw him hurl six innings while allowing one run and five hits. Sale carried the momentum with seven innings pitched, three hits, and two earned runs against the Padres.
Corey Kluber struggled against San Diego in the series finale, but only pitched 2 1/3 innings and allowed three hits to go along with one earned run. Tanner Houck took the mound for Boston on Monday night against the Los Angeles Angels and spun a gem of his own pitching six innings while allowing just three hits and one earned run.
If Boston can keep its current momentum going in the rotation -- aside from Kluber's messy start -- the Red Sox certainly could compete late into the season and maybe even nab a postseason spot.
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