How many pitches into the game last night did you start worrying about Garrett Crochet’s health? Such is life as a baseball fan in the 21st century. But, for now at least, Crochet says there’s nothing to worry about. He and the Sox brass all confirmed he felt healthy last night, and Crochet downplayed the dip in velocity. “In the second inning, I felt like I was throwing the ball better and the results were worse. I don’t really have one thing to point to. I just feel like they had a good approach. It was all pitch types that I felt like they were absolutely smothering — and laying off the sweeper. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
Unfortunately, the worst start of Crochet’s career came at a bad time for the Red Sox. Not only had they won two series in a row, but the entire rotation was pretty solid in the third time through. Sox starters posted a 1.52 ERA over 29 2/3 innings and were finally looking like the elite rotation we thought we were getting heading into the season. (Thomas Harrigan, MLB.com)
Elite is probably too strong a word to use for Masataka Yoshida’s start, but he has been very good, particularly at controlling the strike zone, as he’s started the season with an .868 OPS. But due to the Red Sox poor roster construction, the Sox are struggling to find a spot for him in the lineup. “In these situations, you have to be realistic. He wants to play,” Alex Cora said. “He’s in a good spot, physically, mentally obviously, communication. We have to talk. And everybody knew coming into the situation that somebody was going to have to sit.” (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
The awkward roster and poor start has some writers wondering whether the Red Sox goal in the offseason was to merely build a team that was a little better than last year, rather than a team that can chase a championship. (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)
But no one can complain much about the offseason addition of Willson Contreras. “He brings an intensity and some leadership, too,” Trevor Story said. “We love that, and that’s what we need. We do have a younger group. He has done a great job of blending and making it all work. He has been a great addition and he’s playing well.” (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
Nevertheless, the Sox slow start already has some people thinking about a possible in-season trade for Isaac Parades, Brady House, or Royce Lewis to bolster the lineup. (Jim Bowden, The Athletic)
