The Red Sox needed a first baseman and starting pitcher at the trade deadline, and they did not acquire either necessity. Since the deadline, these issues have been in full effect, and things are not improving.
The club has lost five straight games, which is their longest losing streak of the year, and they have six more games on the road before returning to Fenway Park.
In a matter of days, the Red Sox have gone from the best team in the American League East to a Wild Card club. It’s painful to watch because this could have been combatted by making the correct moves at the deadline.
On Tuesday, Boston lost their fifth straight game and series opener to the Detroit Tigers. Any team can win in Major League Baseball, but the Red Sox looked horrendous after jumping out to an early lead.
Max Scherzer was willing to come to Boston, so fans are not happy watching repetitive starting pitcher issues. Boston became Titletown because of championships, and the front office needed to do more at the deadline to help fill voids in the roster.
Tuesday Night Blunders
Boston has two more games in Detroit before heading to Toronto for a massive series with the Blue Jays. The Red Sox are lucky because their struggles have run parallel with the Rays dropping two straight to Seattle.
Boston is one game back in the American League East, which is a blessing after their horrendous stretch. On Tuesday, the club jumped out to an early lead thanks to a J.D. Martinez RBI single. This was positive because he has four hits in his past 28 at-bats.
Hunter Renfroe added to the lead with a home run in the top of the second. Although, the positivity was quickly destroyed once Miguel Cabrera blasted his 498th career home run off Garrett Richards.
After this bomb, the remainder of the evening belonged to the Tigers. Harold Castro, Akil Baddoo, and Robbie Grossman added to the Tigers’ score, and the team pulled out a 4-2 win.
Issues and Issues for Red Sox
Boston’s offense has been lackluster with runners in scoring position. They left nine runners on base on Tuesday, which has been a recurring theme throughout the losing streak. However, this has been far from the problem in 2021.
When the Red Sox do not hit, it highlights the club’s primary issue, which is starting pitching. Garrett Richards has a 5.21 ERA, and he was 6-6 heading into Tuesday’s contest.
Richards was lackluster once again, and he has taken the blame for his poor starts. A pitcher with a 5.21 ERA can only be 6-6 with a phenomenal offense. This is honorable, but it still does not change the fact that Richards should not be in the rotation.
After the game, Richards appeared defeated when he addressed the media.
“This is the worst season of my career, and I’m just trying to find some way to help us win a game. I feel good out there, and I’m throwing four pitches for strikes, but I’m not getting the results I expect.”
Alex Cora reiterated the fact that starters need to improve because the bullpen is gassed. Great teams win with pitching, but Boston has reverted to offense. It has worked, but with batters struggling, starting pitchers cannot pick up the team.
Cora said, “They loaded the bases with no one out in the fourth, and he held them to one run, but then he walks the leadoff guy in the fifth. They get the double, and we’re into our pen. We don’t need seven innings every night from our starters, but we have to get at least five.”
Chris Sale is going to help this staff when he returns, but the Red Sox needed another piece at the deadline. The lack of starting pitching will be the reason why Boston struggles in October.
