The Boston Red Sox have kicked off their 2024 campaign with a startling show of strength and strategy, especially on the pitching front. Embarking on a 10-game West Coast road trip, the team posted an impressive 7-3 record, setting the tone for the season. What stands out is their pitching performance; allowing no more than two runs in six of these games has not only been remarkable but has also set a new franchise record for the best 10-game start in terms of ERA.
A Turnaround in Pitching
After finishing the previous season with a 78-84 record and languishing in the bottom tier of the league for the third time in four years, the Red Sox's focus on improving their pitching has paid immediate dividends. Under the leadership of Manager Alex Cora, the team has recognized the need for change, marking a clear departure from their ranking of 21st in ERA last season and 25th the year before. Furthermore, their ERA+ rankings for the last two seasons showed a similar story of struggle, coming in at 19th and 24th, respectively.
This season's remarkable start is even more impressive considering the obstacles the team has faced. Lucas Giolito, their top free-agent signing, is set to miss the entire season due to elbow surgery. Additionally, their attempt to sign pitcher Jordan Montgomery in spring training fell through. Despite these setbacks, the Red Sox management made strategic moves in the offseason, appointing Craig Breslow as chief baseball officer, replacing Chaim Bloom, and bringing in Andrew Bailey as the new pitching coach in place of Dave Bush. Bailey, with his four seasons of experience as a pitching coach with the San Francisco Giants, has begun to imprint his philosophy on the team.
Strategic Shifts
One of the strategic shifts that have garnered attention is the team's approach to pitching, most notably their move away from relying heavily on fastballs. About 90% of the innings thrown on the West Coast trip were by pitchers who were with the team in 2023, showcasing a continuity in the roster that has embraced new strategies. This shift aligns with contemporary baseball wisdom indicating that fastballs, on average, tend to lead to more damage than other types of pitches. MLB averages against various pitch types since the start of last season have reinforced this idea, steering the Red Sox and many other teams towards a strategy that favors a mix of breaking balls and changeups.
While it's clear that the Red Sox have benefited from facing three offensively weaker teams in pitcher-friendly ballparks, the early success has reinforced the validity of their less fastball-reliant approach. This change underscores a philosophical shift under Bailey's guidance, emphasizing the use of weaponized pitches that induce weak contact and increase swing-and-miss rates.
Player and Management Perspectives
The transformation in pitching philosophy has not gone unnoticed within the team. "Pitching-wise, we're different. Everybody knows it," remarked Alex Cora. He stressed the team's collective buy-in and the outstanding off-season work that has borne fruit on their first road trip. Bailey’s perspective offers insight into the analytical approach the team has embraced, aiming to reduce the use of fastballs in favor of pitches that historically result in lower damage rates.
Bailey's hiring story adds a personal touch to the team's narrative, reflecting on his relationship with Breslow. Sharing a vision with Breslow that dates back to their playing days, when they would casually predict their future roles within baseball, lends a sense of destiny to Bailey's current position. His optimistic outlook on leveraging "low-hanging fruit" to improve the team's pitching strategy highlights a commitment to analytical, evidence-based decision-making.
Overall, the Boston Red Sox's early success in the 2024 season signals a potentially transformative year for the team, particularly in terms of pitching. By adopting a strategic approach that reduces reliance on fastballs, the team is positioning itself to compete more effectively. This shift, coupled with a strong start, suggests that the Red Sox may well be on their way to surpassing their previous years' performances and reestablishing themselves as contenders in the MLB.
