Red Sox
Crawford’s 0.66 ERA is by far the lowest any MLB pitcher holds to begin the 2024 season.
The Red Sox’ No. 3 starting pitcher has beyond exceeded expectations to start the 2024 season.
Through five starts, Kutter Crawford has allowed just two earned runs. That’s good for a 0.66 earned run average, by far the lowest of any pitcher in MLB this year. The second-best ERA thus far is 1.05 (tied with Kansas City’s Seth Lugo and Toronto’s Jose Berrios).
Crawford’s latest start of the season came against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, a game in which he entered with a 0.72 ERA. He came out of the contest with his first win of the year and an even lower ERA.
The 28-year-old continued his dominance on the mound by spinning six innings of one-run ball to lead Boston to a 4-2 victory, the team’s 12th of the season. Crawford struck out six batters in the win and threw 100 total pitches for the first time this year.
Manager Alex Cora was thrilled by Crawford’s outing when speaking with reporters after the game.
“He was excellent,” Cora said. “He was good. He had enough towards the end. He had to pitch out of some tough situations. He battled today and he gave us enough.
“I always trusted him, since Day 1, I saw it. I knew his stuff is really good. When he made the team a few years ago, we made him a reliever. That was wrong from our end. This guy’s a starter at the big-league level. His weapons, he knows how to pitch, and he’s learning, he’s learning throughout the process, and we’re very proud of him.”
The Red Sox’ decision to give Crawford a spot in the team’s rotation is one of the best they’ve made in the young season. His 0.66 ERA is the third-lowest by any Red Sox pitcher through five games since 1920, tied with Roger Clemens (1991).
Opposing hitters are batting just .163 against Crawford, the fifth-lowest mark in the league. He also has yet to allow a home run in 2024.
Crawford’s splendid performances alongside his fellow Boston hurlers have helped the Red Sox own MLB’s lowest team ERA (2.59) and the league’s lowest team starters’ ERA (1.71). It’s an incredible feat considering the injuries the team’s pitching group has already endured this year with Lucas Giolito, Nick Pivetta, and Garrett Whitlock just to name a few all on the mend.
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