Red Sox May Take Interesting Approach With Struggling Pitcher's Next Start
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The Boston Red Sox's starting rotation has struggled to live up to expectations this season.
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After acquiring Sonny Gray and Ranger Suárez this offseason, Boston's rotation looked like one of the strongest units in the league. Injuries have plagued the group early this season, but inconsistency has been just as big an issue for the Red Sox.
Brayan Bello was one of the team's most consistent pitchers last season, posting a 3.35 ERA in 29 appearances, but has struggled this season, posting a bloated 9.12 ERA through six starts.
With Bello projected to make his next start against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, interim manager Chad Tracy announced that the Red Sox may utilize an opener in front of the 26-year-old.
“We are discussing the possibility of leveraging an opener in front of him,” Tracy said, as transcribed by MassLive's Sean McAdam. “But a lot of that is contingent on how we use our bullpen the next couple of days (as we) try to get a couple of wins. It’s going to be Bello’s day to take down the bulk of the innings, but we’re going to discuss that. If we do it, (the Tigers) tend to have some lefties up at the top (of the lineup).
"So they can change it around and get more righties into the lineup, possibly. But it also pushes him down to where, when, third time through, maybe it’s in a section of the lineup we can push him through a little bit. The big thing, if we do that, is it for the benefit of the Red Sox and can we help get Bello on track? He’s aware; we’ve talked to him a little bit about the possibility. We also told him to be prepared to start if that comes up. But we haven’t made that call yet. It depends on how we go about the next couple of days.”
It will be interesting to see if Boston ends up leveraging an opener ahead of Bello in his next start. The 26-year-old has been a huge part of the Red Sox's rotation the past few seasons, and if utilizing an opener can help him get back on track, it may be worth a shot.
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