In a complete 180 from last season, the 1-4 Boston Red Sox have struggled from the plate to begin the year. A top-10 offense by almost every offensive metric last season, the Sox have not scored more than five runs in a game this season. Apart from Wilyer Abreu and Kristian Campbell, the bats have struggled mightily, resulting in a four-game skid.
The pitching staff has provided hope that once the bats get going, this team will be a contender in the American League.
Garrett Crochet: A-
A Cy Young hopeful coming into the season, Garrett Crochet was solid in his first outing. The Opening Day starter went five innings, allowing two runs and striking out four batters against the Texas Rangers. Crochet got himself into trouble in the second inning, giving up a walk and then two consecutive hits—the latter of which drove in the first run of the game for the Rangers. He then settled in, only allowing one more run in his last three innings of work. Crochet earned a no decision, but his stuff kept the Sox in the game, helping them notch their lone win of the season so far. If he can keep his pitch count down, he will be a workhorse for this Boston team. Crochet signed an extension on Monday night that will keep him in a Red Sox uniform until at least 2030.
Tanner Houck: C
The home-run ball struck Tanner Houck in his first start of the season. The 2024 all-star gave up two to Jonah Heim, followed by another two earned runs later in the game. Houck was not great during the second half of the season last year, going 1-4 post all-star break. Despite all of this, he is still a top arm in a rotation that is playoff caliber when fully healthy. The right-hander will make his second start of the season on Thursday afternoon against the Orioles.
Walker Buehler: C
Walker Buehler gets the benefit of the doubt that he had Tommy John surgery in 2022, missed all of 2023 and started in 16 regular season games last season. He almost worked himself out of a jam in the first inning, but Campbell could not squeeze the glove in an unbelievable effort play in leftfield, leading to two runs scoring for the Rangers. After giving up a home run in the fourth, Buehler found himself in trouble once again in the fifth inning. He gave up three hits and a run before Alex Cora removed him after 4.1 innings. This is a big year for Buehler, who is looking to prove the injury doubters wrong, and he cannot let one shaky start determine his whole season. He will get the ball for the home opener against the Cardinals on Friday.
Richard Fitts: B+
Richard Fitts had two bad pitches all night, and that was enough for him to take the loss on Sunday. After retiring 12 straight batters, Wyatt Langford homered off him to tie the game. Two batters later, Adolis Garcia gave Texas the lead which they would hold for the rest of the game. Those two mistakes do not tell the whole story of Fitts’ outing. Fitts struck out four batters and nearly worked out of a bases-loaded no out jam in the second inning, only allowing one run. His pitching for the Red Sox since being acquired in the Alex Verdugo trade has been more than chief baseball officer Craig Breslow bargained for.
Sean Newcomb: C+
Sean Newcomb is only expected to make a few starts to begin the year, as Brayan Bello is expected to return later this month. Newcomb settled in after being bombarded by the Orioles offense in the first inning. Despite the four runs allowed in the first, Newcomb kept the Sox in the game over the next three innings, striking out four and generating two double plays. If he can settle down in the beginning of games, he can earn a long reliever spot in the bullpen or a spot starter for Boston.