James Paxton reflects on a wild Trade Deadline
Remember when it was as simple as rolling out a starting pitcher, banking on that guy going five, six, seven, or (gasp) eight innings? For the Red Sox, that concept has recently seemed like such an aberration.
Since the beginning of this month, only two other teams have had few innings from their starters than the Red Sox, now sitting with 33 frames in eight games. Conversely, the Phillies have gotten 58 1/3 starting pitching innings. The Rangers? Their starters are at 55 1/3 innings for the month.
It just feels different to be living and dying with starting pitchers, a reality that Philadelphia soaked in Wednesday night thanks to Michael Lorenzen's no-hitter.
And while Nick Pivetta didn't come away with a Gatorade bath after throwing 124 pitches and not allowing a single hit, he did supply the kind of feels this Red Sox team has been starved for.
Pivetta anchored what would be a much-needed 4-3 win for the Red Sox over the Royals with a five-inning start that was only tarnished by a pair of solo homers from Kansas City's MJ Melendez. It marked the 18th time over the Sox' last 30 games their starter has pitched more than three innings. And during that stretch - dating back to July 2 - the team is is 10-4 when its starting pitcher goes at least five innings.
The Red Sox' record when their "starters" have gone three or fewer innings? That would be 8-13, including losses in their last three such scenarios.
Much of this life-without-starting pitching has come out of necessity due to injuries and the Red Sox' belief Pivetta had found his perfect lot in life as a reliever. But times are changing.
At this point - particularly with the impending return of Garrett Whitlock to the bullpen - Pivetta's full-time reintegration into the rotation seems like a no-brainer.
Now you have Pivetta. Then comes James Paxton. After him is Chris Sale. Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford round things out. Suddenly, there is an actual starting rotation.
Too little, too late? Maybe. But if there is a chance to make up these five games on the Wild Card-leading Blue Jays, it will be rooted in outings like the one Pivetta offered.
It figures to improve the Red Sox' bullpen, the Red Sox' record, and the Red Sox' fans peace of mind.