If you're looking for the principle reason for the Red Sox' 11-2 start to the season, look no further than the starting rotation.
After Eduardo Rodriguez checked the Baltimore Orioles on a single run over six innings in the Red Sox' 7-3 victory over the O's, the Red Sox starting rotation is now 8-1 with a 1.97 ERA. In 10 of the 13 games to date, Red Sox starters have allowed one or no runs, and in all but one, they've yielded three or fewer.
The sub-2.00 ERA is made all the more remarkable when you consider that the Red Sox are still without their second-best starter from a year ago, Drew Pomeranz, and have received good outings from spot starters Hector Velazquez and Brian Johnson.
That 1.97 ERA is far and away the best in the American League. And yes, a good chunk of those starts came against weak-hitting lineups like Tampa Bay and Miami. But the pitchers are providing the Sox with a chance to win nearly every time out.
"They're going out and putting up zeros and we just have to go out and put up a couple of runs,'' marveled Mookie Betts.
All you need to know about the Red Sox' 7-3 win over Baltimore in quickie fashion, with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Rodriguez takes a step forward in second start: Last Sunday, Rodriguez was essentially working with one pitch -- his fastball -- and couldn't put Tampa Bay hitters away, forcing him to be lifted after just 3.2 innings. On Friday night, using his full repertoire, Rodriguez attacked with his fastball -- both up and down in the zone -- and used his cutter and a few changeups to keep the Orioles off-balance. He allowed a run in the first inning, but yielded just three hits over the final innings while racking up eight strikeouts and issuing only two walks.
The starting rotation continues to do its thing. pic.twitter.com/fUQz6eKX0z
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 14, 2018
No doubt about that one. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/OaYV3RqtoF
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 13, 2018
Never seen this before but heads up play by Mookie to catch Adam Jones jogging to 2B #Redsox pic.twitter.com/oq65kKJLQq
— Andrew Tashian (@Tashville401) April 14, 2018
- This represents the best 13-game start (11-2) to a season for the Red Sox since 1918.
- After rebounding from a 1-0 deficit in the first, the Red Sox have six comeback wins in 13 games this season.
- In the last six games, the Red Sox have outscored opponents by almost a two-to-one margin: 52-27.