The Boston Red Sox are hoping to see their beleaguered pitching staff turn its season around in short order.
That job has fallen into the hands of pitching coach Randy Niemann, who is replacing the recently fired Bob McClure. McClure couldn't get anything on the right track, watching his group post a 4.30 team ERA, the 11st best in the American League.
Now, Niemann is on the job and knows it won't be easy, but feels the potential is there for a turnaround, according to the Boston Herald.
"I think we’re better than that. I think the guys think we’re better than that. And we’re going to work hard this last month and a half to address that and make it better," Niemann said. "Are we going to get (the ERA) down to leading the league? I don’t think we have time to do that, but we’re going to make it better and we’re going to work hard to do that.
"Like I told the guys earlier, I’m here for them. I’m going to be here early and I’ll be here late. Whatever they need to make this work the last month, I’ll be here to do that."
Boston is currently eight games out of the wild card and likely about to miss the postseason for the second straight year. However, Niemann is determined to get things going in a positive direction for the present and future.
"Obviously, they’re disappointed in the way things have gone," Niemann said. "They’re looking forward to the next month . . . getting things right, getting on track, for this year and into the winter for next year."
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