As Expected The Red Sox Starting Rotation Has Been A Dumpster Fire

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Let's start positive. Through the first five games of the season, the Red Sox have one of the best offenses in the American League. They have scored the second most runs in the league and have a team slash line of .276/.350/.486. Adam Duvall, Rafael Devers and Alex Verdugo have had torrid starts. But despite averaging nearly 7 runs a game, they are only 2-3.

The problem has been that the pitching staff is a wild train wreck. I've been saying all winter that I expected this to be a very poor rotation. It appears I may have been understating things. The bullpen has been solid with an ERA of 3.28. It's been the starting rotation who has been the issue with a horrible 10.18 ERA. They obviously won't be that bad all season long but can they even be decent?

In fairness, the Red Sox did start the season playing the Orioles who are a good offensive team. Giving up 5 hits in a single game to both Adley Rutschman and Austin Hays (in different games no less) does seem extreme. Losing two games to the Pirates in Fenway is much more troubling. The Pirates have one of the worst offenses in the majors and the Sox have been unable to keep those bats in check.

Corey Kluber is 37 and has had an ERA+ of 90 since 2019. He couldn't even get out of the fourth inning on Opening Day. Chris Sale gave up seven runs in only three innings last week. He also did strike out six but Sale is 34 and has a 4.35 ERA since 2019. At some point, you are what you are. I don't know if he's still an elite pitcher. Until he shows he can pitch constantly and show any durability, I don't think he's someone you can consider an ace.

Nick Pivetta is not a front line starter but he's a durable and consistent option they can turn to every fifth day. Tanner Houck is much better used as a reliever and Kutter Crawford now has a career ERA of 6.37. He's 27 and not showing any signs of belonging in the major leagues. This is not a competitive major league pitching starting rotation.

I noticed a pretty big difference in Red Sox fans from before and after Spring Training started. Before ST, fans seemed much more rational and critical of the team. I think optimism may have gotten in the way of reality which is pretty understandable. With the holes on this team becoming so much more clear, some of that Pollyanna attitude seems to be fading away.

They obviously won't have a team ERA of 6.40 by the end of the season. But the fact that these weaknesses are this clear this soon in the season is troubling. They have another game against the Pirates and then the next series they have is against the Tigers. This gives them four games against awful offenses where they can get settled in. If they can't right the ship soon, what happens when they face lineups like the Yankees or the Blue Jays?