Red Sox 2, Pirates 4: Who Cares?

I have a take about tonight’s game, and I have a feeling it won’t be a popular one. I don’t really care that the Red Sox lost tonight. The Red Sox are going to make the playoffs. Once you get to the playoffs, your roster shortens up, especially the pitching staff. That’s why, for me, tonight was about how Payton Tolle looked at the major league level.

So, you’re probably wondering how he looked. From my standing room spot on the first baseline, he looked fantastic. Major league debuts are always weird for pitchers. They come into the game with extra adrenaline, velocity is through the roof, and command probably suffers as a result. When Tolle took the mound in the first inning, he was throwing almost 100 mph. His command was just fine, too; he threw 13 pitches, 11 of which went for strikes. As the game went on, his velocity fell off, closer to 95 mph, but the pitch was still excellent throughout the game. It returned nine whiffs on 50 pitches, an absurd 18% swinging strike rate.

Behind his four-seam, his cutter and changeup showed flashes as well. Each pitch generated two whiffs, while the cutter returned a 65% strike rate. I’m also just now noticing that Tolle didn’t face a single left-handed hitter tonight, which makes his final line of 5.1 innings pitched, two earned runs, and eight strikeouts all the more impressive. He walked two hitters as well, but most of his misses came on the arm side, which is often a sign of overthrowing the ball. It happens in debuts.

Back to my original point: the roster shortens up in the playoffs. Garrett Crochet, Lucas Giolito, and Brayan Bello have been excellent for over two months now. If you enter a playoff series with those three as your starting pitchers and Tolle as a dominant multi-inning reliever, you’re in pretty good shape. Add Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman to the mix, and all of a sudden, you’ve got yourself a pretty lethal pitching staff. I’ll have more on Tolle on Tuesday, but for now, I think we’ve got a gem on our hands.

Of course, there was more to the game outside of Tolle. Sometimes, you run into Paul Skenes. Skenes dominated for six innings, stranding several Red Sox baserunners throughout. Even when runners were on base, scoring felt like a miracle.

Tolle allowed two baserunners via a walk and a bloop single in the sixth inning, ending his night with two runners on base. Greg Weissert came in and immediately coughed up the lead by surrendering two hits. Jordan Hicks pitched the eighth and gave up another run, making the Pirates’ lead two. The Pirates, contrary to popular belief, have a great bullpen and were able to keep the Red Sox off the board after Skenes departed the game. Timely hitting might have won the Red Sox the game, but that’s baseball. Sometimes, you run into Paul Skenes, and there isn’t much you can do about it.

I will say, the Fenway crowd was absolutely electric while Tolle was in the game, and it’s disappointing to waste that. If they had cruised to a 2-0 victory like it seemed they were destined to after the fifth inning, the vibes would be off the charts. My vibes are still pretty high, though, despite the loss. Just go get the next two and everything will be alright.

Three Studs

Payton Tolle

The fastball is so, so good. I’m excited to watch this one back tomorrow to get a better look.

Roman Anthony

He hit a home run off of Paul Skenes. I’m not sure if Anthony has any doubters at this point, but if he does, what more does he have to do to prove he’s the real deal?

My New English Friends

There were two people from England standing next to me at the game tonight, and I had the pleasure of answering their questions throughout the game. Trying to explain Paul Skenes to the English was like trying to explain electricity to a pilgrim, but they bought me a beer despite me telling them they didn’t have to do that, which means they’re proper good chaps. Thank god nobody balked, that would have been a nightmare.

Three Duds

Greg Weissert

Weissert came in the game in a tough situation, but didn’t do much to help himself. Not the best night for the righty, unfortunately.

Connor Wong

An 0-4 night for Wong, who had been swinging the bat well recently. Paul Skenes does that to a man.

Trevor Story

Story also went 0-4, striking out three times. He’s been swinging it well, as well, so I’m not too worried about it. Like I said, go win the next two, and everyone will forget about tonight.