I feel like it is time to stop complaining about the Red Sox and just start pulling for them for the rest of the season. One good game by Shane Bieber after having not pitched since April 2, 2024, doesn't mean much. I don't think he was a guy the Sox should have targeted. Made more sense for Toronto.
And Buehler? 4 starts in July, 3.57 era. 4 starts in August, 3.98 era. What did people expect? The problem is that he is only averaging just over 5 innings per start (in July and August), which isn't horrible, but I think the reason he is headed to the bullpen. He may help the pen. Let the Kyle Harrison era begin (assuming he gets some starts down the stretch). If Giolito holds up, the rotation is not that bad for a playoff run. He may not hold up though, and then the rotation starts to look pretty thin. Slaten coming back should help the bullpen (he pitched in Worcester on Tuesday, 1 inning, 3 K). We have a dominant closer.
The Red Sox are no doubt still a flawed team, a work in progress. They may not even win any wild card playoff games. But they are right there.