A.L. East Review: Blue Jays pick up ground while Rays get dealt a tough hand

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May 5, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Rick Porcello (22) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Red Sox
Overall Record: 13-17
Last Seven: 1-6

The Boston Red Sox spent a lot of money this past winter while also being one of the most active teams on the trade front. All said, the Red Sox entered the season feeling like they had drastically improved a team that finished last in 2014. Of course, things always look great on paper in the winter, but that doesn’t guarantee that they’ll work out perfectly during the season.

While losing out on Jon Lester, the Red Sox were unfortunately forced to enter the season with a pitching staff without a true ace. That’s been clear and present throughout the first month-plus, as the Boston rotation has been the worst in baseball. Without that stopper to set things back up, the Red Sox have been unable to pull out of a tailspin that has seen Boston go 4-12 since it last won two games in a row.

Of the five Red Sox starters, only Rick Porcello sports an ERA under 5.18, and he’s also the only Boston starter to average better than six innings per outing. The other four starters have combined to put up a cumulative ERA of 6.19 and the group has a record of 5-11 over 24 combined starts.

If there is any team in the division that desperately needs to make a move to shore up its rotation in the coming month, it is the Boston Red Sox. With the resources to get an ace on the trade market, Boston needs to be less gun shy and grab the opportunity before their season slips away.

Next: Blue Jays send Saunders to the DL, Tolleson rejoins team

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