Richards didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Rangers. He pitched five innings of one-run ball, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Richards endured a slow start to the season but seems to be turning things around, as he has given up one or fewer runs in three of his last four outings and also owns a 23:9 K:BB during that four-game span (21.2 innings). He's slated to take the ball next week on the road against the Orioles.

Richards (1-2) picked up the win in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the Mets, allowing one run on seven hits over seven innings. He struck out 10 without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Aside from a solo shot by Jeff McNeil in the second inning, Richards bullied the Mets' bats into submission, firing 70 of 93 pitches for strikes in his first quality start of the season. In fact, it was the first time in five trips to the mound he issued fewer than two free passes or struck out more than four batters. The right-hander will carry a 4.94 ERA and 22:13 K:BB through 23.2 innings into his next outing Sunday on the road against the Rangers.

Richards (0-2) took the loss against Toronto on Wednesday, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing four runs on four hits and six walks while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

Richards gave up only one extra-base hit in the outing, but he was brought down by his own wildness. The right-hander walked six, hit a batter, uncorked a wild pitch and threw only 48 of 92 pitches for strikes. The end result was four earned runs and Richards' second loss. The veteran now has an unappealing 6.48 ERA and 12:13 K:BB over 16.2 innings this season. He'll look to turn things around Sunday at Texas in his next scheduled start.

Richards did not factor into the decision during Thursday's loss to the Red Sox, surrendering two (unearned) runs on four hits and a pair of walks while striking out four across five innings.

EDGE Analysis

The only damage of the day came from a two-run single by Luis Arraez in the second inning, but the runs were unearned due to a throwing error by Bobby Dalbec. Otherwise, Richards turned in a decent outing, throwing 56 of his 89 pitches for strikes. The 32-year-old has pitched well against the Twins, going 2-1 over eight games (seven starts). Richards will carry a 6.00 ERA and 1.71 WHIP into his next start Wednesday against Toronto.

Richards allowed two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out four over five scoreless innings in Saturday's 6-4 extra-inning win over Baltimore. He did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Richards gave up back-to-back home runs in the first inning, surrendering a 2-0 lead the Red Sox took in the top half of the frame. He then navigated around runners on base in three of the following four innings, an acceptable bounceback performance after he allowed six runs, seven hits and two walks over two innings in his first start, also against the Orioles. He's scheduled to pitch Thursday on the road against Minnesota.

Richards allowed six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two over two innings of work in a loss to the Orioles on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The righty did not have his best stuff in his Red Sox debut, getting lit up by the Orioles lineup. The 32-year-old was pulled after being unable to record an out in the third inning. After returning to form in 2020, it is worth monitoring whether Richards will be able to maintain his spot in the Red Sox rotation. His next opportunity to take the rubber will be on Saturday against the Orioles again.

Manager Alex Cora confirmed that Richards would start Sunday's series finale with the Orioles, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

After Richards missed a few days of camp due to COVID-19 contact-tracing protocols, the Red Sox were debating whether to include him in the pitching schedule for the opening week, or to push back his first start until Monday against the Rays. He'll ultimately get the ball for the Red Sox's third game of the season, drawing a matchup against an Orioles squad that should present him with a better chance at picking up a win than Tampa Bay. Before he was forced into quarantine last weekend, Richards turned in a 5.93 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 14:11 K:BB in 13.2 innings over his four Grapefruit League starts.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Richards could make his first start of the season Sunday against the Orioles or Monday against the Rays, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Richards' availability for the start of the season was uncertain after he was forced to quarantine over the weekend, when he was deemed to be a close contact of reliever Matt Barnes, who tested positive for COVID-19. Barnes' test was later determined to have been a false positive, so Richards has since returned to the Red Sox after a few days away from the team. Despite the brevity of his absence, Richards could still be pushed back in the pitching schedule, as he initially appeared to be locked in to start one of the first three games of the season versus Baltimore. If Richards isn't cleared to go Sunday, Nick Pivetta would likely get the start.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Richards isn't scheduled to work in the immediate future, making it uncertain when the right-hander might make his 2021 debut, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cora was intentionally vague about his plans for Richards, leading Koch to speculate that the right-hander may be one of the eight Red Sox players currently in isolation due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. At this point, only reliever Matt Barnes is known to have tested positive for the virus, so Richards could still be on the track for the Opening Day roster if he's testing negative and is able to clear the protocol in relatively short order. Richards looked to be on track to pitch in the Red Sox's season-opening three-game series with the Orioles next weekend, but Tanner Houck or Nick Pivetta could be called upon to make a spot start in Richards' stead if he's unable to go for the second or third game.

Richards allowed one hit and three walks while striking out seven over four scoreless innings in Friday's spring game against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Richards suffered through two poor outings before shutting down a competitive Rays roster. He was particularly effective over the final two innings with one walk and four strikeouts. "Today was definitely better," said Richards. "It wasn't necessarily there at the beginning of spring training, but we're making some big strides in between with work that me and [pitching coach Dave Bush] are doing in our [bullpen sessions], cleaning up some mechanical stuff." Richards slots in as Boston's third starter behind Eduardo Rodriguez and Nathan Eovaldi.