Heyman: Some Red Sox People Believe Joe Kelly Can Be Their Ace
BOSTON (CBS) - 98.5 The Sports Hub's Scott Zolak and Marc Bertrand Bertrand caught up with MLB insider Jon Heyman of CBS Sports Tuesday afternoon to talk about the latest storylines in baseball, and in particular, the Red Sox pitching rotation.
Thirteen games into the season, the Red Sox sit atop the AL East with a record of 8-5. The new pieces have worked well so far, and the Boston bats have been in full force.
Pitching is another story.
"I think there are probably questions about just about everybody in that rotation," said Heyman.
The Red Sox pitchers have struggled so far this season, giving up untimely home runs, allowing huge scoring innings, and posting an ERA of 5.93 thus far.
According to Heyman, the 26 year-old Joe Kelly may end up as the Red Sox ace even though he is fifth in the rotation.
"I think that some people in [the Red Sox] organization think Joe Kelly may emerge as the ace, which a lot of people looked at him as the number five guy going in," said Heyman.
Kelly has pitched 12.2 innings in his 2015 campaign with an ERA of 2.13.
The radio duo spoke about how newcomer Rick Porcello has struggled this season despite signing a four year contract extension to the tune of $82.5 million. Heyman didn't see the contract as a concern because it doesn't lock Porcello up past 2019.
"You've got a guy that's in his mid-twenties right now and is going to be 30 at the end of that contract," said Heyman.
As the pitching questions continue, the Red Sox offense has picked up the slack, going yard 13 times and stealing nine bases.
"Their offense is so good. I think they have the best lineup not only in the AL but in all of baseball," said Heyman.
The Red Sox return to the diamond Tuesday for a three-game series in Tampa.
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