Red Sox Get Blanked By Mike Fiers, Who They're Also Reportedly Interested In Acquiring
The Red Sox have been bit with the injury bug quite a bit this year, but that narrative never sees the light of day because, despite the number of injuries that they’ve dealt with, they’re still on pace to blow by their franchise record for most wins in a season. Undoubtedly, injuries have hurt them the most in their rotation. Before the All Star break, David Price dealt with an injury, Brian Johnson spent time on the disabled list, Steven Wright is currently on the disabled list, as are Eduardo Rodriguez and Drew Pomeranz.
But where rotation health has been their greatest weakness, rotation depth has also been their greatest strength because they’ve been able to endure DL-worthy injuries to four different starting pitchers, three of which are still on the shelf. Johnson made his second start since returning from the disabled list and went five innings for the first time since he went six innings against the Marlins back on April 2. Johnson, of course, has pitched mostly out of the bullpen this year and is still getting stretched out as a starter since being asked to fill in for the injured Wright.
Two runs came in to score in the second inning against Johnson, but neither were charged to the left-hander, who didn’t walk a batter and struck out five. For as good as Johnson’s been since stepping back in to a rotation spot, the Red Sox feel like they can add another starter to their rotation beyond Pomeranz, who is returning on Tuesday. Mike Fiers, who got the start for Detroit against the Red Sox on Saturday, tossed six and a third scoreless innings with six strikeouts. The Red Sox are reportedly interested in acquiring the right-hander, who has a 3.49 ERA over 19 starts this year.
Boston has also been rumored to be interested in Cole Hamels, and we all know that’s not the first time we’ve heard that sentence. Remember when the price for Hamels used to be Mookie Betts, Henry Owens, Blake Swihart, etc.? Yeah, I don’t think he’s gonna cost that much this time around. Just a feeling. Also, if the Red Sox trade for Hamels, I’d love for Adrian Beltre to be part of that package for a number of reasons. First being, I don’t trust Rafael Devers’ defense in a postseason series. I just don’t. Second, I think Beltre can truly help Devers become a better third baseman. Third, I just love Beltre and I want to see him get a ring. He never should’ve left the Red Sox after his outstanding 2010 season, but hindsight’s 20/20 and all that shit.
In the series finale, Chris Sale gets the ball against Blaine Hardy. As of right now, it’s semi-debatable who the front runner is for the American League Cy Young award. With a dominant start on Sunday, I don’t think there’s much of a discussion anymore. That’s not to say that he’s going to go on to win it, but the way Sale’s been pitching over his last seven starts is actually insane. Over those last seven starts, Sale’s got a 0.94 ERA with 78 strikeouts in 48 innings. It’s honestly not even fair that human beings are being asked to win baseball games when he’s on the mound.
Hardy hasn’t started a game since the end of June, as 10 of his 18 appearances this season have been out of the bullpen. As a starter, the left-hander has a 3.71 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 43.2 innings. He started against the Red Sox back on June 6 and gave up five earned runs in six innings, while also allowing a home run to Andrew Benintendi.
Final score: Tigers 5, Red Sox 0