While the Boston Red Sox‘s trade deadline was widely viewed as underwhelming, their biggest acquisition, Dustin May, could make or break the team’s fate. As the final stretch of the 2025 regular season approaches, roster depth becomes a crucial factor in determining playoff spots, division winners, and potential postseason success. As injuries and fatigue take a toll on many teams, farm system depth and trade deadline acquisitions can supplement areas of need late in the season and the playoffs.
Despite failing to make it through four innings in his Red Sox debut, May dominated through six in his most recent start against the Houston Astros. He totaled nine strikeouts and 12 whiffs on 65 strikes against Houston, pounding the zone with first-pitch strikes to efficiently cruise through the game and manage his pitch count.
One of the biggest changes in his short tenure with Boston compared to his Los Angeles Dodgers tenure is his pitch mix and usage. May featured three pitches with the Dodgers, most notably his disappearing sweeper, which he used close to 40% of the time. His fastball also topped out around 100 before both of his Tommy John surgeries, and still stayed in the upper 90s following many injuries. He also featured a power sinker that he frequently used and helped him keep the ball on the ground. His fourth addition to his mix was a cutter, but it was hit extremely hard and was rarely used by the end of his Los Angeles tenure.
The Red Sox completely retooled his arsenal, featuring his cutter as a “weapon pitch.” He used this cutter heavily in his first start, and it played well off his fastball, allowing him to get ahead of counts in his second. While his sweeper usage has been reduced, it was still used as an effective put-away pitch in two-strike counts. Ultimately, May’s ability to put batters away with two strikes and efficiently move through innings will be the key to posting quality starts for Boston as the season comes to a close.
While May likely won’t be a consistent six shutout innings pitcher, his ability to be a reliable fourth starter will be crucial with the backend of the Red Sox’s rotation in question. As much as fans hoped for a strong number two in the rotation, that won’t be the expectation for May in Boston.
It’s unlikely that he’ll start playoff games for the Red Sox, as he’s already pitched by far and away the most innings in a season of his career. May’s health and command have always been the biggest question, and stretching him out as a postseason starter would be testing the waters in that regard. Despite this, May will certainly have a role if Boston does make the playoffs, as he has the potential to be an electric opener and reliever with his overpowering stuff in short spurts.
Ultimately, May’s 2025 Red Sox season will be determined by two things. The first is his ability to start games and keep them competitive. The expectation won’t be perfection, but going five to six innings consistently will be pivotal to Boston’s success. The second factor is his durability in the postseason, as he’s well over his career high in innings. While he’ll likely be in a bullpen role, there are still legitimate concerns about his health down the stretch.
Despite potential beneficial changes in his arsenal with the Red Sox, there are questions about his ability to control his pitch count and go deep into games and stay ahead of hitters. Depending on how he answers these questions, May could make or break Boston’s season.
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