Jake Bennett couldn’t hold the Rangers last night, and the Red Sox ate a 7-3 loss in Texas. Straight up, his evening was done after just 4.2 innings, giving up eight hits while the team needed him to lock it down.
Getting Knocked Around, Big Time
Look, Bennett punched out seven guys and only walked one. Those numbers usually sound solid, right? But eight hits in less than five innings? That’s just getting knocked around, man. It’s the second straight outing where he’s looked shaky, getting lit up on the mound. Meanwhile, Ranger Suarez is out there, seemingly locked in and ready to roll. That contrast is brutal for Bennett right now.
What Do You Even Do With Him?
With only ten games left in the season, the real question is what in the world the Sox do with him going forward. Sonny Gray, Payton Tolle, and Suarez are probably lining up for the Wild Card Series. Bennett’s recent form almost certainly cuts him out of that rotation. Do they just sideline him and hope he can be a fourth starter for the ALDS or ALCS if they even make it? Or do they try to throw him into some kind of relief role, even though he’s been a starter? It’s awkward, no doubt. Especially with Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck, Tyron Guerrero, Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, and Erik Miller all potentially coming back to beef up that bullpen. If those guys are back, Bennett gets squeezed out of relevance big time.
Remember that sick six shutout innings he threw against the Yankees back on August 29th? Does that make you think they should find a role for him if they face New York again? Or is he just a young arm who’s out of gas right now, and they need to stash him away until they absolutely need a fourth starter? Tough calls ahead for that pitching staff, seriously tough.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Over the Monster.
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