Brayan

Bello

All four runs came in the first, when Bello was pulled after 24 pitches. He came back out for the second and threw 11 pitches in a scoreless frame then. Bello’s velocity was down about one mph from last year. He threw his remade changeup six times for one whiff and five balls.

When Bello debuted with Boston, his changeup was arguably his best pitch. In the years since, he has spent a lot of time trying to find the release and movement on his slider, and his changeup has suffered. This spring, Bello wanted to change the grip on his changeup and has begun taking notes from new teammate Ranger Suarez. He’s also working to bring back the curveball he had early in his career, which would deepen an arsenal that includes a four-seamer, sinker, cutter, sweeper/slider and changeup. The additions of a sinker and cutter have helped Bello induce weak contact and keep his ratios low. Perhaps the curve or changeup could help bring the strikeouts that would lead to a breakout season.

Bello threw just 28 pitches in a losing effort against the Bombers in Game 2 on Wednesday, so he’ll be available if he’s needed on Thursday. Garrett Whitlock will also be available. The only pitcher on the Red Sox’ staff that’s unlikely to be available is Garrett Crochet, and Cora even hinted that he could be in a pinch when saying “probably not” when asked about his availability. Expect an all hands on deck situation as the Red Sox attempt to stave off elimination.

It wasn’t a traditional postseason clunker as Bello surrendered a two-run blast to Ben Rice in the opening frame and was lifted after recording just seven outs and throwing only 28 pitches. Things could’ve gone a lot worse, which is the only consolation here. The 26-year-old righty was outstanding during a couple regular-season starts against New York, but Red Sox manager Alex Cora was unlikely to let him work too deep into this one against a lefty-heavy lineup.

Bello will take the ball for a pivotal Game 2 matchup at Yankee Stadium with Lucas Giolito (elbow) done for the postseason. The 26-year-old was a reliable mid-rotation arm for the Red Sox during the regular season, posting a career-best 3.35 ERA across 166 2/3 innings over 29 appearances (28 starts). Boston skipper Alex Cora indicated it’ll likely be rookie southpaw Connelly Early drawing the starting assignment for a win-or-go-home Game 3 contest, if necessary.

Bello also issued three free passes on the evening while punching out three opposing hitters. The 26-year-old hurler actually shut the Jays out through the first five innings, but ran into trouble to start the sixth as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reached on an error, Addison Barger drew a walk and Anthony Santander was plunked to load the bases. Bello then turned the ball over to the bullpen and all three runs scored on Daulton Varsho’s grand slam. Bello got six whiffs on 89 pitches on the night, registering a CSW of 24 percent. He finishes the regular season with an 11-9 record, 3.35 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 124/59 K/BB ratio over 166 2/3 innings of work.

The Red Sox wanted to “Give him a breather,” said manager Alex Cora, which is why Bello is being given some extra rest after four starts in September that have seen him post a 5.85 ERA in 20 innings. It’s nice that the Red Sox are noticing the trend and giving Bello some extra time, but fantasy managers should look elsewhere in the final week of the season.

Bello’s return to May form isn’t something the Red Sox were banking on this month. He’s totaled 20 innings and posted a 5.85 ERA in four starts during September. From June through August, he had a 2.66 ERA and completed six innings in 15 of 18 starts, never throwing fewer than five. Bello will face the Blue Jays on Wednesday.

Bello labored in the first inning against the Yankees as he loaded the bases with no outs. A sacrifice fly and base hit brought two runs in to score and Bello loaded the bases again before getting out of the inning with two strikeouts. A walk and two hits put a third run on the board for New York in the third, and Jazz Chisholm would drive in a fourth with a solo homer in the fifth inning. Bello’s day would be done after five frames. The 26-year-old right-hander will take a 3.25 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and a 118/54 K/BB ratio across 157 2/3 innings into a start against the Athletics in Boston on Thursday.

Bello struck out two batters on the day while issuing one base on balls. The Diamondbacks scored on an RBI single by Blaze Alexander in the second inning, on a wild pitch in the fourth and on an RBI double off the bat of Gabriel Moreno in the sixth inning. Bello got seven whiffs on 91 pitches on the day, posting an underwhelming CSW of only 19 percent. The 26-year-old hurler will carry a 3.12 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 114/51 K/BB ratio (152 2/3 innings) into a tough matchup against the Yankees on Saturday.