The Boston Red Sox have kick-started their 2024 season on a notably high note. Embarking on a 10-game West Coast road trip, the team emerged with an impressive 7-3 record. This achievement is underscored by their pitching staff, which held opponents to two runs or fewer in six of these games, establishing a new franchise record for ERA at the outset of a season. Such a performance is a stark turnaround from their previous season's outcome, where the Red Sox culminated the year with a 78-84 record, settling them in the lower echelons of the league for the third time in four years.
Struggles and Strategic Shifts
Last year's challenges were reflected in the team's rankings; they were positioned 21st in ERA and fell to 25th the year before that. When it came to ERA+ rankings, the scenario was somewhat similar with 19th and 24th placements respectively over the last two seasons. The Boston Red Sox's pitching strategy, historically reliant on fastballs, underwent a significant shift after a period marked by underwhelming performances.
An unfortunate development for the team this season was losing Lucas Giolito to elbow surgery, sidelining him for the entire year. Attempts to bolster their pitching roster during spring training saw the Red Sox narrowly missing out on signing pitcher Jordan Montgomery. Amid these challenges, the organization saw a shift in its leadership, with Craig Breslow stepping in as chief baseball officer, replacing Chaim Bloom. Additionally, the pitching department welcomed a new face, Andrew Bailey, who took over as the pitching coach, succeeding Dave Bush.
A New Approach on the Mound
This season's early success, particularly during the West Coast trip, has not been coincidental. About 90% of the innings pitched were delivered by individuals who were part of the team in 2023, suggesting a continuity in the squad's composition but not necessarily in its strategy. The Red Sox's less fastball-dependent approach seems to be paying dividends, with the team also taking advantage of playing against offensively weaker teams in pitcher-friendly ballparks. This strategic pivot reflects the organization's proactive attempts to adapt and improve, a factor that could significantly contribute to their performances this season.
Manager Alex Cora's comments echo this sentiment, explicitly acknowledging the shift in their pitching strategy, "Pitching-wise, we're different. Everybody knows it." Such acknowledgment from the team's leadership underscores a conscious effort to adjust and refine their approach to pitching. This evolution is further highlighted by the hiring of Andrew Bailey as the new pitching coach, whose relationship and aligned vision with Craig Breslow date back to their playing days. Together, they are steering the Red Sox towards a strategy that relies less on fastballs, a move that, so far, has shown promising results.
Validating the New Strategy
While it's still early in the 2024 season, the Red Sox's initial success has provided a much-needed validation of their less fastball-reliant approach. Facing three offensively weaker teams might have favored their adjusted strategy, offering an ideal environment to test and refine these changes. However, the real test for the Red Sox will be maintaining this level of performance throughout the season, especially as they go up against more formidable offenses in less pitcher-friendly parks.
The adjustments made by the Red Sox this season reflect a broader acknowledgment within baseball: adaptation is key to overcoming challenges. By analyzing their shortcomings and adjusting their strategy, especially on the pitching front, the Boston Red Sox have set a foundation that could redefine their season. Manager Alex Cora's vision, coupled with the strategic foresight of Bailey and Breslow, has thus far inspired a sense of optimism around the team's potential to climb out of the bottom tier and make a significant impact in Major League Baseball’s 2024 season.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how this less fastball-centric approach continues to evolve and whether it can consistently deliver the outcomes needed to propel the Red Sox back to the top of the league standings. For now, the early success on the West Coast has provided a glimpse into a potentially transformative season for the storied franchise.