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Can Aaron Cook keep his spot in the rotation?

August 2nd, 2012 1:05 AM
  • Can-Aaron-Cook-keep-his-spot-in-the-rotation
  • Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Aaron Cook pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE

    • After getting shelled by the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night, the Red Sox starter Aaron Cook has to be wondering about the future of his place in the Boston rotation. The 33-year-old veteran has held the fifth starter role since late June, and despite flashes of brilliance like a two-hit shutout on June 29, Cook has now been pounded in his last two starts to see his ERA balloon back up to 5.24.

    Cook’s problem has been an inability to keep the ball down, as he relies on a heavy sinker to induce ground ball outs in order to be effective. However, he has given up four homers in his last two starts, including a pair on Wednesday night to Tiger sluggers Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, and also failed to strike out a single hitter.

    Cook was at his best in Colorado in 2008, when he made the All-Star team thanks primarily to a HR/FB ratio of 7.6% and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.0. However, those numbers have gradually increased since, which led to the Rockies letting him go. And they’re at their worst this season, as 18.6% of his flyballs allowed are leaving the park, and his K/BB rate has been cut in half from its peak down to 1.0.

    The Red Sox, however, also don’t have much in the way of other starting options. They elected to stand pat from a starting pitching standpoint at the trade deadline, and the only real possibilities to take over starting duties are Franklin Morales and Andrew Miller. Morales has actually been pretty effective in five starts this season to the tune of a 3.42 ERA and 1.139 WHIP, but he’s also been one of Bobby Valentine’s favorite left-handed arms out of the bullpen, so they’ll be reluctant to take him out of that role. And while Miller has a more extensive history as a starter, he has pitched exclusively out of the pen this year and is also one of their more effective relievers.

    Cook’s strong stretch last month has likely given him enough leeway to earn at least another start or two, but the team will have a quick trigger finger going forward if he can’t get back to that form soon.

    A few hours before last night’s game, Aaron Cook hung a pair of boxing gloves in Ryan Sweeney’s locker, a practical…

    Read the original post from bostonherald.com

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