With the Aug. 2 trade deadline less than one month away, Red Sox manager Alex Cora thinks his team has enough arms internally to fuel the bullpen over the second half of the season.
As several pitchers work their way back from injuries, the Red Sox think they’ll be in a good spot when they’re fully healthy. Garrett Whitlock’s return to the bullpen will certainly give them a boost. Josh Taylor’s eventual return should, too. But how about Kutter Crawford?
The Red Sox rookie made a compelling case on Monday.
Crawford, seldom used as an organizational depth piece, has shown some flashes this season in spot starts and relief. On Monday, he was the key to a victory for a shorthanded Red Sox pitching staff.
As their starting rotation continued to be decimated after Michael Wacha was scratched from his start due to a tired arm, the Red Sox made Monday a bullpen game and called up Crawford for some help. A day after the bullpen was exhausted in an extra-innings victory, Crawford came up clutch, pitching 5 1/3 shutout innings and allowing just two hits against a tough Rays lineup as the Red Sox returned home with a 4-0 victory.
Trevor Story hit a solo home run – his 13th homer of the season – and the Red Sox took advantage of some defensive mistakes by the Rays to add some insurance as the Red Sox began a stretch of 21 consecutive games against divisional teams on a strong note. They can win their first series this season against an AL East team with a win Tuesday or Wednesday.
