After winning the World Series last year, the Red Sox have dealt with disappointment so far this season.
Team president Dave Dombrowski recently pointed out one of Boston's biggest struggles: the starting rotation.
The Red Sox are 46-41 and sit 11 games behind the American League East-leading Yankees, and Dombrowski was frank when talking about the team's starters.
"We built our ballclub for them to be our strong suit," Dombrowski said, via the Boston Globe. "I don't think it's been what we expected or hoped.
"They're a very talented group of pitchers. ... They're the guys who are supposed to carry us, really. That's why I think they've been fine. They've been OK. But I can't say they've really carried us at any point. The bullpen keeps getting pointed to all the time, I think a lot of times unfairly. It’s just that collectively, in a lot of places, we haven't done as well as we hoped."
Boston's struggles boiled over after a "frustrated" performance from ace Chris Sale July 3 against the Blue Jays. The seven-time All-Star gave up five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings and is now 3-8 with a 4.04 ERA in 18 starts. And right-hander Hector Velazquez got chased after 2 1/3 innings in his start against Toronto on July 4.
Boston's rotation is 18th in the MLB rankings with a 4.70 ERA. The bullpen hasn't been much better, ranking 17th (4.45 ERA), as the relievers have blown 18 save opportunities in 35 chances, which is tied for the second-most in MLB.
Still, the Red Sox have won five of their last 10 games. Manager Alex Cora said the team has some decisions to make, beginning with the fate of Velazquez.
“I think that decision, we’ll make it over the break, see where we’re going to go,” he said, via The Athletic. “We do feel Hector is throwing the ball well, he did (last month) in Minnesota, and his last one, too, his velocity is up. And he’s done it before. We’ll talk about it in the upcoming days.”
Boston will start Eduardo Rodriguez (8-4, 4.79 ERA) when it opens its series against Detroit on Friday.