Ranger Suarez is proving to be exactly what the Red Sox needed behind Garrett Crochet originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
This year, Garrett Crochet was supposed to lead the Boston Red Sox as the ace of the team, and finally win the Cy Young which he missed by a hair last season. On top of that, Boston was supposed to finally get him a supporting pitcher in the No. 2 role so he wasn’t carrying the pitching load by himself.
Advertisement
Unfortunately, Crochet has started this year slow, and has been injured for the past couple weeks. The Sox did get him his No. 2 though in Ranger Suarez, who has been dominant in his place as ace.
Suarez was a buzzer beater
Ranger Suarez
© Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Red Sox stated this offseason they were going all-in on pitching, and for most of the offseason, they really didn’t get anyone of note. They traded for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, but both of them were not suited for the role of the No. 2 pitcher in the rotation.
Then, right before the end of the offseason, the Sox signed Suarez. On January 21st of this year, he inked a deal with Boston for five years, $130 million.
Advertisement
Suarez started off slow, now is extremely hot
Ranger Suarez
© Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Suarez had two bad starts to start the season, but then was quick to heat up. Through his first eight starts, he’s brought his ERA down to 2.44, gotten 40 Ks, and has a whip of 0.974 in 44 innings pitched. On top of that, he’s got a 2.93 FIP, an 8.1 K/9, a 2.2 BB/9, and a 0.6 HR/9.
Breaking it down even further, in his last six starts, he has a 1.00 ERA, a .148 BAA, and 35 Ks. In the last three, he’s thrown scoreless innings, has a .136 BAA, and 21 Ks.
Even his most recent start was electric, even if it ended up in a Boston loss. It was against his former team, the Philadelphia Phillies, where he pitched 5.1 scoreless innings, got eight Ks, only giving up four hits and a walk.
Advertisement
Boston’s future atop the rotation
Ranger Suarez
© Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
If Suarez can keep this up for at least most of his contract, the Sox’ future atop the rotation is looking bright. With a 1-2 punch of Crochet and Suarez, and some solid pitchers to fill out the rotation, and the Sox could have the best pitching staff in baseball.
All Boston needs to do is to upgrade their offense to become a real powerhouse.
MORE MLB NEWS
Why the Red Sox’ strong pitching staff isn’t translating into wins
Why the Red Sox’ offseason decisions are becoming impossible to defend