Boston Red Sox 2015 All-Star Break Grades: Starting Rotation

Clay Buchholz

In his first seven starts, Buchholz’s ERA inflated to 5.73. But he looked like an ace in his next 10 starts, posting a 1.99 ERA while helping the Boston Red Sox stay in striking ground of the mediocre AL East race. But the often-hurt Buchholz (7-7, 3.26 ERA) landed on the disabled list again and there is no telling if he will be able to regain his form in his return to the mound.

Grade: B

Rick Porcello

There is no bigger disappointment in baseball than Porcello. Expected to fortify an ace-less Boston rotation, Porcello (5-9) owns the highest ERA (5.90) in the American League. The right-hander signed a four year, $82.5 million contract extension before the year began and has rewarded Boston with his worst year of his career.

Grade: F

Eduardo Rodriguez

The 22-year-old left-hander who was acquired in the trade that sent Andrew Miller to the Baltimore Orioles last July has looked dominant in seven of his nine starts. If his two horrific starts—June 14 (9 ER in 4.2 innings in loss versus Toronto Blue Jays) and June 25 (6 ER in 2.2 innings in loss to Orioles)—were excluded from his stats, Rodriguez would own a 5-0 record with a 1.22 ERA. Rodriguez (5-2, 3.59 ERA) looked sharp in his first start against the New York Yankees, picking up a victory in a contest in which he surrendered only two runs in 6.2 innings.

Grade: B+

Wade Miley

Miley’s meltdown against the Orioles showed he was an emotionally weak player. Miley’s 3.39 walks per nine innings rate ranks sixth worst in the league. He hasn’t been an innings-eater as advertised but has managed to salvage his season with decent numbers at home, particularly against left-handed batters.

Grade: C-

Joe Kelly

Kelly asserted he would win the American League Cy Young before the season began. He is currently stuck in the minors.

Grade: F

Justin Masterson

Not much was expected of the former All-Star this season. Nonetheless, the Red Sox had hoped for more than what Masterson—who spent half of the season in the minors/on the disabled list—provided in nine woeful starts. Masterson, who owns a horrific 6.00 ERA, will look to stick on the major-league roster as a long reliever.

Grade: D

Steven Wright

The 30-year-old knuckleballer looked decent in four starts (11 appearances overall) for the Red Sox this season. Wright (3-2, 4.15 ERA) should see more MLB action in the second half of the season with Buchholz on the disabled list for an undisclosed amount of time.

Grade: C+