Richards allowed four hits and struck out four over three scoreless innings to earn the save in Friday's 8-1 win over Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

While the game was never in doubt, Richards' three-inning appearance earned him a save for the first time since 2013 when he was with the Angels. The 33-year-old shouldn't be expected to see many save chances now that he's shifted to the bullpen to fill a bulk-relief role. He's posted a 5.08 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 91:48 K:BB across 113.1 innings, but without a spot in the rotation, he's not likely to carry much fantasy appeal.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Richards would move to the bullpen in advance of Wednesday's game against the Rays, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

With rookie Tanner Houck excelling through his five big-league starts this season and with Chris Sale (elbow) set to return from the 60-day injured list Saturday, the Red Sox won't have room in the rotation for Richards. Aside from eating innings for Boston, Richards hasn't looked like a worthy MLB starter this season, compiling a 5.22 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and a 7.1 K/9 in 22 outings. He could find more success in relief while working with a pared-down repertoire, but the Red Sox are likely to deploy him in low-leverage spots initially.

Richards allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out two over five innings in a no-decision against Toronto on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Richards left with the Red Sox leading, 7-4, then watched his bullpen mates cough up the game with five runs allowed in the seventh and eighth innings. Richards, whose recent performance puts his rotation spot in jeopardy, received praise from manager Alex Cora following the game. "He threw the ball O.K. The breaking ball to Vladdy seemed like it was off the plate, down and away. He got to it," Cora told Matt Vautour of MassLive.com. "Good velocity. Good command. He gave us five innings, four runs. He's not happy with it, but I do believe he threw the ball well." Cora did not confirm if the right-hander would make his next start, which lines up to be Friday at home against the Orioles. Not only has Richards' recent results (6.75 ERA since All-Star break) leave his spot in question, but the pending return of Chris Sale (elbow) and Tanner Houck's performance as a starter put him on the hot seat. One struggling starter, Martin Perez, has already been removed from the rotation and Richards could be next.

Richards (6-7) allowed three runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts through four innings, taking the loss in Tuesday's 4-2 defeat in Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

Richards flashed some nasty stuff Tuesday night but pitched himself into a couple of jams that ended up being his undoing. After serving up Miguel Cabrera's 498th career home run in the second inning, Richards got into a bases loaded, none out situation in the fourth. While he escaped that bind having only allowed one run, a leadoff walk and an Akil Baddoo RBI double in the fifth were enough to get Alex Cora out of the dugout. With Chris Sale's return fast approaching, Richards is a strong candidate to cede his position in the rotation to the lanky lefty.

Richards (6-6) allowed four runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out two over four-plus innings, taking the loss to the Blue Jays in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader.

EDGE Analysis

Richards surrendered two home runs and was unable to get an out in the fifth before departing. The Blue Jays have been rough on the right-hander, who has a 6.15 ERA in five starts against them. Richards has a 7.43 ERA over his last eight starts. There's no question which current member of Boston's rotation is in danger of losing their spot when Chris Sale (elbow) is ready to return in August. Richard's next turn is scheduled for Tuesday at Detroit.

Richards won't start as scheduled Tuesday against the Blue Jays since the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

The contest will be made up via a doubleheader Wednesday, with Richards starting Game 1 while Tanner Houck starts the nightcap, per Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican. Richards has a 5.17 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB through three starts (15.2 innings) during July.

Richards (6-5) earned the win over Toronto on Wednesday, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing four runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander cruised through five innings, allowing only one run on a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. solo shot. He retired the first two batters he faced in the sixth before running into trouble, as a walk followed by back-to-back homers by George Springer and Teoscar Hernandez resulted in his departure from the contest. Nonetheless, Richards pitched well enough to pick up the win, inducing 15 swinging strikes and allowing only four hits (though three left the yard). He lines up to face the Blue Jays again -- this time at home -- early next week.

Richards won't start as scheduled Tuesday against the Blue Jays since the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

EDGE Analysis

Richards was slated to make his first start of the season's second half, but it will be pushed back due to the postponement. According to Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe, the 33-year-old will simply take the mound for Wednesday's series finale with the Blue Jays

Richards (5-5) earned the win versus Philadelphia on Friday. He allowed three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four in five innings.

EDGE Analysis

Richards hasn't completed six innings since June 1, a span of seven straight starts. He was able to pick up his first win since May 19 with plenty of run support Friday. The right-hander has an uninspiring 4.91 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 73:43 K:BB through 91.2 innings this season, but his spot in the rotation will likely remain safe at least until early August, which is the earliest expected timeline for Chris Sale (elbow) to return.

Richards did not factor in the decision against Oakland on Saturday, completing five innings and allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander didn't overwhelm the A's in the contest -- he induced only six swinging strikes and allowed nine baserunners -- but the start marked the first time since June 1 that Richards allowed fewer than three earned runs in a game. He exited with a one-run lead and a chance to earn a win for the first time since mid-May, but Oakland ultimately came back to pull out the win. Richards has mostly struggled this season, posting a 4.88 ERA and 1.68 WHIP across 17 starts. He's tentatively slated to make his next appearance Friday at home versus Philadelphia.