The Boston Red Sox are ready to roll with a top trio to lead their rotation into October.
Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito have put together exceptional seasons for Boston with the consistent starting pitching talent they’ve lacked over a recent drought of postseason appearances. That development is the biggest reason the Red Sox are poised to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
Boston also has confidence in a pair of high-leverage relievers as Garrett Whitlock and All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman have been virtually untouchable since the midsummer classic.
Where the Red Sox do currently have question marks is at the back of the rotation. Injuries to Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, Richard Fitts, Dustin May, Patrick Sandoval and Hunter Dobbins have forced Boston to get creative. The response led to the accelerated MLB debuts of Payton Tolle and Connelly Early over the last two weeks.
The two rookie left-handers combined for 19 strikeouts in their debuts and sported quality stuff that should intrigue Boston. While their starts are valuable to just getting the rotation by right now, there’s even more to assess from these spot starts.
If Boston plays in the wild-card round to start October, the rotation is set with Crochet, Bello and Giolito is a three-game series. If the Red Sox advance, they’ll need more depth. Whether that’s May or Cooper Criswell to step in, Tolle and Early should absolutely be in the conversation to start a Game 4 or contribute to a bullpen game.
Neither lefty will be a lock for the playoff roster, though they’ve pitched their way into considerations for the Red Sox.
Kyle Harrison, the young left-hander acquired in the Rafael Devers trade, is also expected to factor in at the MLB level before the end of the season. The same conversation goes for him as well as Boston finalizes postseason pitching plans.
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