4 Options for the Fifth Starter Role

Mike Clevinger

Mike Clevinger was tabbed as the starter Monday night, although it was more of a relief appearance than anything. After Monday’s loss, he has now started six games on the season and has appeared in 12 total games.

He has limited experience as a starting pitcher in the MLB, but he seems like a suitable option for the last month of the season.

Clevinger struggled at the beginning of the season, allowing 14 earned runs in his first three starts, but has since settled down and become a go-to pitcher out of the bullpen when Francona needs someone to go more than one inning.

If Clevinger were given the starting job, it could be under similar circumstances to what happened on Monday. He can be the starter, but Francona could just pull him early if he appeared to be struggling, or his pitch count was rising early on in the game.

This would allow the bullpen to save some arms, reducing the pitchers used from eight to around four or five if Clevinger can last at least three or four innings. This of course is on an ideal day, but Clevinger has proved he can be relied on to get through at least a few innings without imploding. At least he has thus far.

Next: Ryan Merritt