As a slumping pitcher, there’s no better cure than a juicy matchup against an anemic offense. Red Sox pitchers like Garrett Richards discovered this on Tuesday when the Sox went on a two-game road trip against the Mets. Richards looked like he belonged in Double-A so far, allowing 12 ER, 18 hits, and 13 walks in 16.2 innings. Averaging just over 4 innings per start, he had fewer strikeouts (12) than he’d allowed hits or walks. This was despite his first two starts coming against the lowly Orioles.
The future was looking grim for the 10-year vet… and then the Mets graced us with their presence. Richards spun a 7-inning 1-run gem, fanning 10 and walking none while throwing 70 of his 93 pitches for strikes. It was an utter decimation of that lineup. Despite boasting Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Michael Conforto, and Kevin Pillar, they’ve been the worst in the majors this year.
Pivetta’s Turn
It’s familiar territory for Mets fans. Their offense has been laughably bad in recent seasons, particularly when their ace Jacob deGrom, the best pitcher on the planet for the last half-decade, takes the mound. That didn’t change Wednesday with deGrom’s matchup against Nick Pivetta, who’s had a good but not great start to the season and started 2021 with a career 5.40 ERA in 94 appearances. deGrom was his usual lights-out self, allowing 2 of his 3 hits and his only run in the second inning while striking out 9. Pivetta walked 3 and threw only 55 of 93 balls for strikes across 5 innings. But he did just enough to hang on.
Pivetta allowed 1 hit and kept it scoreless before turning it over to the bullpen, who didn’t allow a baserunner after the 6th inning. Only one offense could give us a deGrom-Pivetta pitchers’ duel that results in a 1-0 Sox win: the Amazin’ Mets!
A Proven Remedy
These are huge confidence boosters for Red Sox pitchers, and not just for Richards and Pivetta who may be fighting for a rotation spot when Chris Sale returns and if Tanner Houck impresses in AAA. Relievers Matt Barnes, Adam Ottavino, Matt Andriese, and rookie Garrett Whitlock combined for 6 scoreless innings in the last 2 games. They allowed 1 total hit in a span when a single run would have meant a blown lead. Wednesday was only Ottavino’s second perfect appearance of at least 1 inning during his shaky start this year, and Barnes cemented his closer status with 5 strikeouts across consecutive saves in 1-run games. When your own offense only musters 3 runs in 2 games, it’s important knowing your pitching staff can shut down the offenses that they should.
And the best part? This might be only the beginning. After a tough stretch that saw 12 of 14 games (including two doubleheaders) against the Twins, White Sox, and the surprising Mariners, the Sox will see a different caliber of team for the next couple weeks. Following their two games against the 30th-ranked scoring offense, the Sox play 11 straight against the Rangers, Tigers, and Orioles – who currently rank 22nd, 29th, and 27th in scoring. This is the time for Boston’s pitching staff to build its confidence, work out any kinks, and help build their lead over the Rays and Yankees. Those two teams will figure things out eventually, and I’d love to have a fully locked-in pitching staff for the inevitable summer pennant race.
I?m impressed, I must say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that?s both educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you’ve got hit the nail on the head. Your idea is excellent; the difficulty is something that not enough people are talking intelligently about. I’m very completely happy that I stumbled across this in my seek for something referring to this.
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is magnificent blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.
There are certainly loads of particulars like that to take into consideration. That is a great level to bring up. I offer the thoughts above as general inspiration however clearly there are questions like the one you deliver up where crucial thing will be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged around things like that, but I’m sure that your job is clearly identified as a good game. Both girls and boys really feel the impression of just a moment?s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
Thanks for your text. I would also like to say that your health insurance brokerage service also utilizes the benefit of the particular coordinators of a group insurance policies. The health insurance professional is given a listing of benefits desired by somebody or a group coordinator. What any broker does is try to find individuals or even coordinators which will best match those desires. Then he shows his ideas and if the two of you agree, the particular broker formulates a legal contract between the 2 parties.
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait .. ?
After examine a couple of of the blog posts in your web site now, and I actually like your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and shall be checking again soon. Pls take a look at my website as well and let me know what you think.
It’s my belief that mesothelioma is usually the most lethal cancer. It’s got unusual qualities. The more I actually look at it the more I am convinced it does not conduct itself like a true solid tissue cancer. If mesothelioma is often a rogue virus-like infection, then there is the probability of developing a vaccine and also offering vaccination to asbestos subjected people who are at high risk connected with developing long run asbestos related malignancies. Thanks for expressing your ideas on this important health issue.
Thanks for the concepts you have contributed here. Furthermore, I believe there are several factors that really keep your car insurance policy premium straight down. One is, to take into account buying automobiles that are inside the good listing of car insurance providers. Cars which are expensive tend to be more at risk of being lost. Aside from that insurance policies are also using the value of your car, so the more costly it is, then the higher the particular premium you pay.
Yet another thing I would like to state is that as an alternative to trying to suit all your online degree programs on times that you end work (because most people are tired when they return), try to arrange most of your instructional classes on the weekends and only 1 or 2 courses for weekdays, even if it means a little time away from your saturday and sunday. This is really good because on the weekends, you will be a lot more rested along with concentrated on school work. Thx for the different ideas I have realized from your site.