Since the MLB All-Star break, the Boston Red Sox have had one big issue: pitching. Boston ranks dead last in team ERA since mid-July. For the season, the Red Sox staff isn’t pretty either. The bullpen sits fifth-worst with a 4.43 ERA. Only the Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Texas Rangers rank lower. All four of those teams have a losing record. With Boston searching for any help in its bullpen, one internal option can start a turnaround. Surging reliever Chris Martin could help fix the struggling Red Sox.
Reliever Chris Martin Could Help Fix Struggling Red Sox
Martin’s Recent Hot Stretch
Martin landed on the 15-Day Injured List at the beginning of July due to right elbow inflammation. It took him more than a month to return. On August 7, Martin was activated. Since then, it’s been pure domination from the 38-year-old. He’s thrown six and ⅓ innings and appeared seven times, allowing just one run and eight hits. Martin’s walk numbers have been fantastic. Dating back to the end of April, he has not walked an opponent in 23 consecutive games. That control and consistency has been a major part of his success in 2024.
Chris Martin has had three blowups this year, 3 runs in each of those outings.
He’s thrown 29 other times this season. In those 29 appearances, he’s allowed just 2 earned runs. pic.twitter.com/1RTlcGf9e6
— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) August 20, 2024
Since June 19, Martin has given up just one run in twelve contests. That’s good for a 0.81 ERA. Outside of a small blip against the Baltimore Orioles on August 16, where Martin surrendered three hits and an earned run, it’s been smooth waters. His season ERA dropped from 4.03 to a current 3.03 over the stretch. Boston has had a ton of trouble finding any sort of production from the bullpen, especially in the last month. Martin is an anomaly to that and could be the key to a late season turnaround.
8) Chris Martin (BOS)
Martin will be looking to fix the Red Sox bullpen woes with his nasty cutter and phenomenal command
He recently returned from injury, but that hasn’t stopped him from firing off 4 straight scoreless outings. He is such an underrated arm! pic.twitter.com/noKsginQLi
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) August 15, 2024
Figuring out the bullpen is massive for the Red Sox. Before Wednesday’s matchup against the Houston Astros, Boston sits 3.5 games back of the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins for the third and final American League Wild Card spot. The Red Sox trail a further seven games in the division, sitting behind the Orioles and New York Yankees (6.5 games back). With just under 40 contests left in the season, the time is now. If Martin can stabilize Boston’s bullpen, that may be enough to sneak into the postseason.
How Martin Should Be Used Down The Stretch
The Red Sox will be getting reinforcements soon, with right-hander Justin Slaten starting a rehab assignment. Outside of that, Boston has to use its current roster. The addition of Luis García from the Angels has been a complete disaster. Zack Kelly, Greg Weissert, and Brennan Bernardino have all struggled at times since July. Outside of closer Kenley Jansen, Martin has really been one of the only consistent options that the Red Sox have.
Martin’s recent performances should send a signal to manager Alex Cora that he deserves additional high-leverage situations. Martin has mostly been used before the eighth inning. With others faltering, that should change. He obviously will not, and should not, take closing duties from Jansen. But Boston has shuffled its late-inning rotation outside of Jansen. The answer for the eighth, or any high-leverage late-game situation, is right in front of the Red Sox. It comes in the form of Martin. That should be pretty obvious to Boston at this point.
Main Photo Credits: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
