No Price, No Problem
Boston’s One-Two Punch of Porcello and Sale is enough to keep the Red Sox dominant while David Price takes his time recovering.
David Price’s left elbow is recovering. But he won’t be ready for his first start. The BoSox look set to take on the world without Price; they’ve looked strong in their first two games this year, taking home victories in both — one of which was a grueling 12-inning affair.
The Red Sox have showcased their two top pitchers in Rick Porcello and Chris Sale over their two victories. The two pitchers have delivered on the promise of Boston’s super rotation. It’s a small sample size but if the pair keep pace with this week’s numbers, they’ll be duking it out for the Cy Young in September.
Porcello pitched six-and-one-third innings on Monday. The defending Cy Young winner allowed six hits and walked one batter. He had three runs come across the plate on his watch but his FIP (yes, massively small sample size, but hear me out) sits at just 1.79, suggesting it wasn’t all him.
On Wednesday, Sale got to show off his stuff in front of his new home crowd. In seven innings, Sale dominated. Zero runs came across for Sale and the Red Sox on Wednesday, putting Sale above Porcello in that category — for this week at least. Just three hits and a walk while striking out seven batters should have resulted in Sale getting the win; an offense that couldn’t get started until the 12th relegated Sale to a no-decision.
The offense is still knocking off the rust, obviously, but two wins is still two wins. The top of the rotation has done its part in the first two Boston games living up to the hype. As long as Price can make a full recovery, Boston should be able to compete for the division title with little difficulty.
But that may not come for a few more weeks. Price has been stretching his elbow out with long toss from 100 feet and playing catch with standing catchers. Boston will bring the lefty with them to Detroit for a four-game series but there is no guarantee Price will be ready to pitch.
Should Price not be able to pitch, the back-end of the rotation will need to prove they can float instead of sink. The back consists of 24-year old Eduardo Rodríguez (1.29 career WHIP) and Steven Wright (2016 All-Star). Boston should have confidence they will float.
Fenway Notes
- Sandy Léon is driving the Red Sox offense right now with five hits in eight at bats. He also hit the walk-off home run in the 12th to win Wednesday night’s game.
- Mookie Betts is currently out with the flu. Betts missed Wednesday’s game but was expected to be ready for Thursday’s series finale with the Pirates. Boston hopes he’s ready for the four-game series against Detroit.
- Both Xander Bogaerts and reliever Matt Barnes were placed on the bereavement list on Thursday. Noe Ramirez and Marco Hernández were recalled from Triple-A to fill out the roster.
