With a quarter of the 2019MLB season completed, it’s safe to say the 2019 Red Sox have many question marks. Question number one is pitching. Currently, the club is tied for third in the ALEast behind Tampa and New York. Any hopes of a mid _season surge into first place will fall on the starting pitching. In this post, we will review three areas that the organization needs to focus on a return to return to first place.
Lack Of A Closer Will Prove Costly For 2019 Red Sox
No, Craig Kimbrel In 2018 the Red Sox bullpen had a combined total of 46 saves. A lot of the credit went to closer Craig Kimbrel and setup man Joe Kelly. Kelly was instrumental in the post _season last year as he was one of the managers Alex Cora’s trusted relievers. In the offseason, Kelly signed a multi _year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since Kelly’s departure, the majority of the responsibility has rested on reliever Ryan Brasier. Brasier has so far been adequate but does not even come close to Joe Kelly’s caliber. Kimbrel, on the other hand, remains a free_agent. He is believed to be seeking a long _term deal perhaps equaling six or seven years. Lack of Hitting So far, the Red Sox are 17-19 in the American League East. Overall, the club is hitting 283 as a team fifth best in the league along with a total of 42 home runs. As of late outfielder, Mookie Betts has been on a torrid hitting streak. Newly recalled Michael Chavis had been one of the teams most productive hitters belting seven home runs in less than two weeks. Also contributing with the bat have been Rafael Devers and catcher Christian Vazquez, and JD Martinez has been consistent. Starting Pitching Needs To Be Healthy After 36 games, the Red Sox starting pitching has suffered injuries to two key pitchers. Both starters David Price and Nathan Eovaldi have been placed on the DL Out of the two, Evoldi’s injury is considered more serious. It was diagnosed that Eovaldi will miss at least 4to 6 months of pitching due to Tommy John surgery.
If the team has any aspirations of returning to first place, then they will need a healthy David Price and Nathan Eovaldi. Also on the injured list is lefthander Brian Johnson. Johnson’s injury is not regarded as serious. The season Ahead If the club expects to have any hopes of postseason then a lot will depend on the health of the pitching. Also, investing in closer is one alternative the organization needs to think about if they expect to play even close to last season.