The Boston Red Sox boast one of MLB's top pitching staffs this season. No one star jumps off the page, but instead a collective effort has put the Red Sox firmly in the conversation for the American League playoffs. On the opposite side of the spectrum, a look at Brayan Bello's stats tells a different story.
Boston had high expectations for Bello entering 2024, so much so that they inked him to a six-year contract extension during spring training. The move seemed to motivate Bello and the Red Sox looked smart for doing it after he posted a 3.04 ERA and secured three wins through five starts to begin the season.
Right lat tightness sidelined Bello for three weeks and he has not been the same pitcher since. The 25-year-old saw his season come to a head on Tuesday night when he was pulled in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Bello allowed seven runs on five hits and three walks. The 2.1 innings he threw marked the shortest outing of his MLB career.
Bello insists he feels good and is doing everything right. He's just as lost as others are trying to figure out why Boston's best pitcher on paper is struggling to find the strike zone amid a smoking-hot month for the Sox.
“My mindset is good,” Bello said, per Christopher Smith. “My mechanics are good. I don’t really know what’s going on right now. But I do know I’m working with Bails (pitching coach Andrew Bailey) about attacking the zone and doing what I’m supposed to do. And there’s still a lot of season left for me. I know it hasn’t been great to this point. But I know what I am capable of and I know what I can do for the rest of the season.”
Bello looking for answers as Red Sox gain steam
There were questions surrounding the Red Sox before the season began, particularly about the starting rotation. The breakouts of Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford have undoubtedly helped put those questions to rest but Boston has to be thinking about its potential if Brayan Bello can get back on track.
Having a trio of arms at the top of the rotation who can issue quality starts consistently is dangerous in the playoffs. A less talented team can expose its superior opposition with good and deep pitching. If the Red Sox get to the playoffs, that could be their recipe for a surprise run.
Getting Bello right would go a long way in making those postseason dreams a reality for Boston. The big issue is his command with his walk and hit percentages both up from 2023. Look no further than the month of June to see that.
Bello recorded an 8.25 ERA in five June starts, allowing 35 hits with 14 walks. He walked three batters in four of those starts and surrendered at least seven hits in three. He did earn a win and posted a quality start over the Blue Jays on June 19, only for Toronto to turn around six days later and chase Bello in the third inning.
While Brayan Bello reels, the Red Sox are having their best month of the season by far. Boston is 14-8 in June and has won eight of its last 10 games. The stretch vaulted the Red Sox into a playoff spot, a half-game ahead of the Kansas City Royals.
The 43-37 Red Sox will try for their fifth consecutive series win in the rubber match of their three-game set against the Blue Jays on Wednesday.
