The Red Sox starting rotation hasn’t been at its best throughout the season, and they know that.
Starting pitcher Garrett Crochet has been solid on the mound for Boston, recording a 2.35 ERA with a 6-4 record. The starting rotation has taken notice and has been working on ways to improve their starts.
“It can’t just be all (Garrett) Crochet carrying the rotation,” starter Lucas Giolito told reporters, according to MassLive’s Sean McAdam. “We’ve all been working hard and doing what we need to do to be able to help. So I think it’s important that, no matter who’s taking the mound that day, we all have confidence, the team has confidence, that we’re going to give a good performance and put us in position to win.”
Giolito delivered a big performance for the Red Sox on Tuesday in their 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Through six innings, he allowed just three hits and three walks, allowing no earned runs in that time. The 30-year-old also struck out four batters, bringing his record to 2-1.
“It feels good,” Giolito said on NESN’s postgame coverage on Tuesday. “Less about the ballpark and more about just how I’m feeling in my body mechanically, rhythm, tempo, way better. I feel a sense of relief that I’m on that right track now and we’re just going to keep building off of this one and keep getting the good reps in and build that muscle memory with the good way of moving down the mound.”
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Manager Alex Cora was also happy with the performance Giolito had due to the Red Sox thin bullpen. With the starting pitching going deep into the game, it gave the bullpen a chance to sit.
“We need that,” Cora said. “We were very thin in the bullpen and for him to go six…It was good to see him. Velo was up, location was better and the mix of pitches were really good. One run over six — that’s more than enough.”
