Nick Pivetta has been a bright spot in the Red Sox's rotation
When Opening Day arrived, the Red Sox’s starting rotation was full of question marks. During the first time through the rotation, they provided few answers and mixed results against the Orioles and Pirates. However, the pitching has been much better over the Red Sox’s last five games, and Nick Pivetta has been a critical part.
Pivetta has only allowed one earned run in ten innings of work through his first two starts of the season. He has struck out 12 batters in that span and only walked five. After struggling in spring training, the former fourth-round pick has rounded into form.
So far this season, opponents are hitting .162 against the Canadian native. While he has allowed nine hits, when runners have reached base, Pivetta has kept them from scoring. On Monday night, in the opening game of a four-game series with the undefeated Rays that continued as Pivetta shined.
Against the Rays, the thirty-year-old did not allow a run in five innings of work. Pivetta pounded the strike zone as 53 of his 83 pitches were strikes. The Rays, who have been the best team in baseball, had no answer for Pivetta. For the first time all season, they scored less than four runs and could only get a run on the board after Pivetta left the game.
While the sample size is small, Pivetta’s brilliant start has been hard to ignore. He has been the Red Sox’s best pitcher and has given them a chance to win in both of his starts. With the exception of Tanner Houck, no other Red Sox starter can say the same.
Over the next few weeks, the Red Sox will have a few hard decisions to make. Brayan Bello should be back in the rotation soon, and James Paxton, who is rehabbing from an injury, will also be back at some point. Pivetta has shown that he has no plans of leaving the rotation and has reinforced that with his play.
Although the Red Sox have gotten off to a rollercoaster start, Pivetta has been a bright spot every time he has taken the mound.
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