Red Sox Starter Has ‘Exceeded All Expectations’ This Season
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito has emerged as one of the team’s most vital players.
Giolito delivered another good outing on Friday night against the Miami Marlins, allowing one earned run and striking out five in 6 1/3 innings of work. The former No. 16 overall pick is now 8-2 on the season with a 3.63 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP, and 87 strikeouts in 19 starts (106 2/3 innings).
Giolito has been one of the best starting pitchers in the American League since June, something PitcherList’s Griffey Geiss wrote about following Boston’s walk-off win.
“Lucas Giolito has a 2.34 ERA and 1.07 WHIP through 73 IP dating back to June 10th, averaging just over 6 IP per start during that span,” Geiss wrote.
“Mind you this is his first year post-op… he’s handily exceeded all expectations this season. A big reason why this team is where it is today.”
Giolito underwent surgery in March 2024 to repair his ulnar collateral ligament, two months after signing a one-year deal with a player option for a second season. Giolito missed all of the 2024 season and suddenly looked like a potential wasted signing.
Not surprisingly, Giolito exercised his player option for this season but began the season once again on the IL due to a left hamstring strain.
It took a few starts for Giolito to get his sea legs, but the 31-year-old has been better than advertised since returning, making up for lost time in a Red Sox uniform.