Baltimore Orioles and the AL East Weaknesses
By Nate Wardle
Jul 10, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
5. Boston Red Sox – 6.5 GB – Starting Pitching, Catcher, DH
The numbers for the Red Sox starting pitchers, particularly those signed as free agents, is frightening. Justin Masterson, ERA of 6.00, and he has been hurt and moved to the bullpen. Rick Porcello, who has made 17 starts, has an ERA of 5.90. Wade Miley, 18 starts, 4.80. Joe Kelly, 14 starts, 5.67. UGLY.
Clay Buchholz is in the running for Comeback Player of the Year, as his ERA is 3.26. However, he is currently on the disabled list with an elbow injury. It doesn’t look overly serious, but it also is alarming. Eduardo Rodriguez has helped keep the pitching afloat, but he has come back to Earth considerably after his hot start.
Remember the whole discussion about needing at least three pitchers? The Red Sox don’t, and that is if Buchholz is healthy.
As for catcher, it has been a problem all season long. Blake Swihart was hurt. Ryan Hanigan was also hurt for awhile. Sandy Leon has played in 33 games, and is hitting .180. The Red Sox have two home runs and 23 RBIs from the catcher position. Not good.
And then there is DH. David Ortiz went off on a reporter earlier in the year who offered the suggestion that age is catching up with him. Well, it looks like it is. Although the HR and RBI stats aren’t terrible, they aren’t what we have come to expect from Ortiz. Nor is the .231 batting average. And his struggles against lefties, and with runners on base, have been some of the worst in the league.
Kind of makes you wonder how the Sox are only 6.5 out.
It has been a very streaky division so far, and I expect lots of activity at the Trade Deadline.