Struggles in 1st Inning Costs Webster

Photo Courtesy of the Globe
Allen Webster could have done a lot better. Normally, when your offense grabs you 2 runs in the top of the first, it settles you down, but that wasn't the case with Webster. He never fully recovered from a Victor Martinez grand slam in the bottom of the 1st. He gave up a total of 5 runs in 4.1 innings. Currently, he is 0-2 with an ERA of 11.25 according to the Boston Globe. Ouch. Not what you would hope for in someone who clearly shows a lot of potential, but he's still only 23. I think it's somewhat unrealistic to expect Webster to emulate Clay Bucholz, who threw a no-hitter in his second start as a major league pitcher. For most players, it takes time to adjust to playing in the major leagues, especially in Boston because it is a big market.

Webster does have a lot of potential, I think, but it was a trial by fire tonight because he was facing a lineup that includes Miguel Cabrera, a Triple Crown winner, and Prince Fielder as a 1-2 punch in the middle of the order. That will unnerve most rookie pitchers. Tonight's performance from Webster was sub par, to say the least, but I highly doubt anyone realistically expected him to be Clay Bucholz and throw a no hitter. I think I can safely say, though that most people expected him to be better, and they expect him to be better going forward. According to the Globe, he could be filling in for Bucholz during his next start against the Blue Jays next week. The Blue Jays have been surging recently, but still, they are not the Tigers and Webster should be able to pick his game up.

Is leaving Webster in the rotation a good idea? Tweet me @ConorJF1016 or leave a comment below with your thoughts.

Conor Frederick

Contributing Writer