Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
So, who is it going to be? Eduardo Rodriguez pitched a second tremendous game for the Boston Red Sox and it now seems that he is here in the rotation to stay. That brings up an interesting question at this point — which starting pitcher leaves the rotation? You can’t keep going with six guys.
You have to figure that Clay Buchholz is safe. He would have probably been safe anyways given his elder status, but he has been brilliant lately and has sure pitched like an “ace.” Wade Miley has also pitched well lately and would also be considered safe. Rick Porcello signed a huge contract extension before the season started. Lately, he has pitched a bunch of clunkers but his last performance against the Minnesota Twins was fantastic, he just got no run support at all. Porcello isn’t going anywhere.
The two names that are a threat to be leaving the rotation are Steven Wright and Joe Kelly. Out of the two, Wright has pitched much better and he deserved to win against the Texas Rangers if it wasn’t for Josh Hamilton. Kelly has been frustratingly inconsistent all season long but it seems as though Boston is intrigued with his array of pitches and are willing to watch him grow into a solid pitcher.
I know this won’t happen but the way Boston has struggled all season, they don’t have a lot of time to wait for one of their pitchers to find themselves. That can happen in Pawtucket. I think they should go with the more consistent pitcher and at this exact moment it is Wright. Of course, knowing knuckleballers, this can change at any moment. However, at least right now, Wright has been better. If Kelly can learn to pitch, then plug him right back in. However for now, Boston needs all the solid pitching performances they can get.
Of course, if neither works out there is always Justin Masterson. Remember him?
Carter Roane is a Boston Red Sox writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter@CarterGRoane, “Like”him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
