http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2011/07/with_andrew_miller_now_struggl.html
With Andrew Miller now struggling, is it time for the Sox to start looking for rotation help?
Published: Saturday, July 16, 2011, 1:11 PM *** Updated: Saturday, July 16, 2011, 1:27 PM
By Nick Underhill
AP
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Andrew Miller wipes his forehead as he struggles against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 15, 2011, in St. Petersburg, Fla.
I don't want to ring the alarm and create panic and pandemonium, but there's a potentially huge "Uh-oh" developing with the Boston Red Sox right now.
If you haven't noticed, the team's starting pitching depth has been stretched as far as it can go. Daisuke Matsuzaka was lost for the season and Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz are out with back injuries. If either experience lingering issues, it could mean the difference between the ALDS and playing towards Halloween.
And now the first man in line to take the ball, Andrew Miller, has decided to make a Shutter Island-like plot twist and show New England exactly why he never managed to live up to the expectations once held for him as a former-top prospect in agonizing detail.
Since beginning the season 3-0 with a 3.06 ERA, 13 strikeouts and seven walks, he has now allowed 10 runs, walked nine and hasn't recorded a strikeout over his last 7 2/3 innings spanning two starts.
"What got me back here was being aggressive in the strike zone," Miller said after his start Friday. "I'm not doing that right now."
We all should have seen this coming long before his 35-pitch first inning against Tampa Bay Friday night.
This is the real Andrew Miller. Throughout his career, despite having loads of talent, he lacked the ability and confidence to throw strikes, leading to a 15-26 record and 5.84 ERA over his first five seasons before landing in Boston's lap.
So while it's possible that he started to tap into his potential earlier this year, it seems more likely it was an aberration created by pitching against the likes of San Diego, Pittsburgh and Houston, and now we're seeing what he's truly made of against quality opponents.
We'll get another chance to determine the truth since there are no other internal options and Miller is out of minor league options. But if it goes bad, it might be time for the Red Sox to rework their deadline plans and start pursuing a pitcher – any pitcher—that can throw well enough to give the bats a chance to win.
Yeah, right field is a disaster, but the offense isn't really an issue right now. Even without Carl Crawford for a good portion of the first half and J.D. Drew's corpse manning right, they still have the most productive offense in the majors.
And if worse comes to worst, Josh Reddick can always take over for Drew.
Those luxuries don't exist within the rotation. If someone else goes down with injury, and Miller can't step up, there's nowhere else to turn.
Alfredo Aceves has proven capable of making a start here and there, but he's far too valuable in his current role in the bullpen to be seriously considered.
Kyle Weiland, outside of the fact that he likes to pitch inside, wasn't exactly Bob Gibson out there in his first start, Miller is Miller, and Kevin Millwood looks more likely to land in Portland next from Pawtucket.
The cupboards are bare.
And if they wait too long to find out if Miller is legit, Boston could find itself saying "Uh-oh" come October.
With Andrew Miller now struggling, is it time for the Sox to start looking for rotation help?
Published: Saturday, July 16, 2011, 1:11 PM *** Updated: Saturday, July 16, 2011, 1:27 PM
By Nick Underhill
AP
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Andrew Miller wipes his forehead as he struggles against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 15, 2011, in St. Petersburg, Fla.
I don't want to ring the alarm and create panic and pandemonium, but there's a potentially huge "Uh-oh" developing with the Boston Red Sox right now.
If you haven't noticed, the team's starting pitching depth has been stretched as far as it can go. Daisuke Matsuzaka was lost for the season and Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz are out with back injuries. If either experience lingering issues, it could mean the difference between the ALDS and playing towards Halloween.
And now the first man in line to take the ball, Andrew Miller, has decided to make a Shutter Island-like plot twist and show New England exactly why he never managed to live up to the expectations once held for him as a former-top prospect in agonizing detail.
Since beginning the season 3-0 with a 3.06 ERA, 13 strikeouts and seven walks, he has now allowed 10 runs, walked nine and hasn't recorded a strikeout over his last 7 2/3 innings spanning two starts.
"What got me back here was being aggressive in the strike zone," Miller said after his start Friday. "I'm not doing that right now."
We all should have seen this coming long before his 35-pitch first inning against Tampa Bay Friday night.
This is the real Andrew Miller. Throughout his career, despite having loads of talent, he lacked the ability and confidence to throw strikes, leading to a 15-26 record and 5.84 ERA over his first five seasons before landing in Boston's lap.
So while it's possible that he started to tap into his potential earlier this year, it seems more likely it was an aberration created by pitching against the likes of San Diego, Pittsburgh and Houston, and now we're seeing what he's truly made of against quality opponents.
We'll get another chance to determine the truth since there are no other internal options and Miller is out of minor league options. But if it goes bad, it might be time for the Red Sox to rework their deadline plans and start pursuing a pitcher – any pitcher—that can throw well enough to give the bats a chance to win.
Yeah, right field is a disaster, but the offense isn't really an issue right now. Even without Carl Crawford for a good portion of the first half and J.D. Drew's corpse manning right, they still have the most productive offense in the majors.
And if worse comes to worst, Josh Reddick can always take over for Drew.
Those luxuries don't exist within the rotation. If someone else goes down with injury, and Miller can't step up, there's nowhere else to turn.
Alfredo Aceves has proven capable of making a start here and there, but he's far too valuable in his current role in the bullpen to be seriously considered.
Kyle Weiland, outside of the fact that he likes to pitch inside, wasn't exactly Bob Gibson out there in his first start, Miller is Miller, and Kevin Millwood looks more likely to land in Portland next from Pawtucket.
The cupboards are bare.
And if they wait too long to find out if Miller is legit, Boston could find itself saying "Uh-oh" come October.
