Let’s face it: The Boston Red Sox haven’t given fans much to smile about this season.
Boston enters Thursday last in the American League East at 26-34 and owns the worst home record in baseball at 10-20. Manager Alex Cora was fired in April. The team’s best pitcher (Garrett Crochet) and best hitter (Roman Anthony) are on the injured list and have suffered multiple setbacks. The vibes have been … not great.
But those vibes do a 180 when Payton Tolle takes the mound.
The 23-year-old left-hander has shined through the first eight starts of his first full MLB season, posting a 2.28 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 47.1 innings pitched. In Wednesday’s 8-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles, Tolle scattered seven hits over six scoreless innings while striking out five.
These Red Sox could use more than just quality arms, however. They need personality, and players who look like they’re actually enjoying themselves despite a dreary season.
Tolle certainly checks off that box.
Exhibit A: When Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo hit a chopper way over Tolle’s head, Tolle jumped a few inches in the air and then froze with his hands raised like he had glitched in a video game.
“Not high enough,” Tolle deadpanned when asked how high he jumped.
Exhibit B: In the sixth inning with the Red Sox comfortably up 8-0, Tolle inexplicably pitched out of the windup with a runner on first, then balked and threw over the catcher’s head when the runner took off for second base.
But rather than beat himself up over the bizarre play, Tolle did his best Ron Swanson impression and burst out laughing when asked about the incident after the game.
“I wish I could tell you,” Tolle said with a massive grin. “There was no brain there. We’re in a groove with the windup, let’s just go back to it.
“Haven’t had a balk this year, so I thought, ‘This is the perfect time for it.’ I was in disbelief at myself. Creates good TV, I guess.”
Indeed, Tolle’s starts have been appointment viewing this year — as have his postgame press conferences.
A former college star who earned Big 12 Player of The Year honors at TCU in 2024, Tolle has an undeniable swagger on the mound, celebrating strikeouts with screams and first pumps. But he also doesn’t take himself too seriously, bringing a level of authenticity and joy to a clubhouse that has had a rough year to date.
Tolle is also an optimist, and believes there are better days to come for a Red Sox team that has won three of its last four games.
“I think it shows what we’re capable of,” Tolle said Wednesday night. “It’s there. It’s just kind of taking it, (gaining) momentum, believe in it and going to the next one and just continue to have fun playing the game.”
Tolle’s optimism very well could be misplaced. While the Red Sox are technically just 3.5 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot, there are five teams ahead of them. But there’s no doubt he’s having fun in between the lines, and if his attitude spreads to more of his teammates, perhaps better results will follow.
