The Boston Red Sox are winners of 20 of their last 23 entering play on Friday, thanks in part to one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. While it may not stand out as an overwhelming need for the club to address ahead of the trade deadline, could Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow be in search of a rotation reinforcement? 

The Red Sox rotation enters Friday with an ERA of 3.95, the eighth-lowest mark in baseball. That's a number that one could argue is slightly inflated because of a slow start to the season, when Red Sox starters posted a 4.85 ERA over the first month, the fifth-highest mark in baseball. Since May 1, Boston starters have allowed a 3.57 ERA in 70 games, good for the fourth-lowest in baseball in that stretch. 

The results on the diamond speak for themselves; with the Red Sox rotation, they’ve been among the best in baseball. However, it’s how they’ve gotten there that may be of concern to Breslow and the Red Sox pitching staff. 

Thanks to injuries, Boston has relied heavily on their trio of dynamic rookie left-handers, Payton Tolle, Jake Bennett, and the injured Connelly Early. As a result, all three are on pace to surpass their career highs in innings pitched by a wide margin. 

The Red Sox had been looking forward to the return of 2025 Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet, who has been on the injured list since April 29 with left shoulder inflammation. However, recent comments made by Crochet made it seem like he was not anywhere near a return to a big league mound. 

The Red Sox have also lost both Ranger Suarez and Sonny Gray to injured list stints at various points throughout the year, with Suarez currently working his way back from a groin strain that landed him on the 15-day IL on July 9. Both Suarez and Gray have been among the best pitchers in baseball in Crochet’s absence. Losing one or both for a prolonged period would almost certainly be a death knell for the Red Sox' playoff hopes. 

Crochet and Suarez are joined on the injured list by Early, who is working his way back from left elbow inflammation. Johan Oviedo; Kutter Crawford, and Tanner Houck have begun throwing progression as they work their way back from injuries. 

While the team knows what they will get from Suarez upon his return, which could come any day now, the other four options present relative unknowns. Early, along with the aforementioned workload concerns, had been inconsistent at times, allowing home runs at an alarming rate. 

Oviedo made only one appearance in relief for Boston in 2026, allowing four earned runs on six hits across 3.2 innings before landing on the injured list with a right elbow strain. 

As for Houck and Crawford, they remain mostly unknowns at the major league level. The now 30-year-old Houck hasn’t been seen on a major league mound since May 12, 2025 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Before going down with the injury, Houck struggled mightily, posting an 8.04 ERA in 43.2 innings pitched. If he is ready to return in 2026, he may be best served as a bullpen option. 

Crawford hasn’t appeared in a major league game in nearly two years after missing the entire 2025 season with a shoulder injury. However, in 2024, Crawford led the team in innings pitched with 183.2. While the 30-year-old right-hander could represent the innings eater the team is looking for, he is only throwing out to 100 feet and hasn’t been seen in major league game action in so long. To rely on him to be a major piece of the puzzle down the stretch would be a risk on the part of Breslow.

The Red Sox recently brought back veteran left-hander Patrick Sandoval from the injured list. However, in his first two starts since 2024, the 29-year-old has not looked sharp, allowing 13.5 hits per nine innings in 9.1 innings of work. While Sandoval could be useful in helping limit the workload of the three rookies, he may be better served in a ‘piggyback’ role as he manages his own workload returning from Tommy John surgery.  

While Boston’s primary deadline need remains a power bat to slot into the heart of the lineup, Breslow would be wise to explore the market for bringing in an established major league starter to supplement his already fantastic pitching staff. 

The MLB Trade Deadline is Aug. 3 at 6:00 p.m. ET. 

After seeing their franchise record-tying 15-game winning streak come to an end on Wednesday night, Boston will look to kick off a new winning streak when they welcome the Toronto Blue Jays to Fenway Park for the three-game set. Sandoval (0-0, 4.82 ERA) will get the start for the Red Sox opposite Trey Yesavage (4-5, 3.78 ERA) for the Blue Jays. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. ET. 

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