The Boston Red Sox are facing significant challenges as they navigate the 2025 MLB season with a disappointing record of 29-33. Foremost among these issues is the underwhelming performance of the team’s starting pitchers, placing a heavy burden on the bullpen as they struggle to keep pace with playoff aspirations.
Garrett Crochet remains a shining exception among the starting rotation. Leading the Majors with 82 innings pitched, he has consistently been the reliable ace the Red Sox need. In stark contrast, the remaining pitchers have frequently failed to complete even five innings, prompting manager Alex Cora to turn to his bullpen prematurely. This trend, reminiscent of struggles from previous seasons, could exhaust the bullpen well before the season heats up.
In May, the Red Sox starters failed to reach the five-inning mark in half of their outings, contributing to a lackluster 11-17 record for the month.
Richard Fitts, who recently returned from the injured list for a pectoral strain, epitomizes the rotation’s challenges, particularly after being pulled in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels after allowing six runs. His recent performances had shown potential, but he now faces pressure to regain his form.
Tanner Houck, an All-Star last year, has had a dismal start to the current season, struggling with an ERA exceeding 8.04 and now sidelined due to an elbow injury. His inconsistent performances, including poor showings in the first inning, have set back the team significantly. Conversely, Brayan Bello has had a somewhat better but still inconsistent start, finding a rhythm initially but recently faltering with a series of short outings.
Veteran Walker Buehler has been more reliable in terms of innings pitched despite not meeting expectations in other areas. Meanwhile, Lucas Giolito’s sporadic performances have also added to the uncertainty in the rotation.
The collective stats tell a troubling story: the Red Sox starting pitchers have allowed a substantial number of runs and hits while posting an average ERA of 4.25. As a result, the bullpen has been overextended, logging the fourth-most innings in MLB, yet managing to maintain a commendable ERA of 3.53.
Adding to the concern is that the team has struggled significantly in the first inning, where they hold a 6.10 ERA, ranking among the worst in the league. Poor performances from the bottom of the lineup and an alarming number of first-inning runs allowed have further complicated the team’s standing in close games.
As the team looks ahead, the urgent need for starting pitchers to step up is evident. Without a solid showing from the rotation, Boston’s hopes of October baseball may slip away before the All-Star break. This situation begs for immediate improvements, and the Red Sox organization has no choice but to address these pitching difficulties if they hope to revive their season.
In light of these challenges, one can underscore the importance of perseverance and adaptability as the season progresses. While the immediate outlook appears daunting, the potential for improvement through adjustments and strategic changes remains a ray of hope for Red Sox fans.