Boston Red Sox MLB Pitchers of the Month, August 2026: Relievers Shine Brightest

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The month of August proved to be a rollercoaster for the Boston Red Sox’s pitching staff. The dependable arms were, mostly, dependable for the month, there were some new names that showed up and showed out, and then there were some arms that got tagged a bit too frequently. Amidst all that positivity and concern, four pitchers stood out the most.

Ranking Red Sox's Best Pitchers In August

Honorable Mention: Raymond Burgos

August Stats: 12.1 IP, 1 SV, 5.84 ERA, 4.31 FIP, 14.6 K%, 2.1 BB%, 0.97 WHIP

Burgos doesn’t have the best stats in the world, but he’s getting the honorable mention spot here because he stepped up to help a depleted bullpen in a big way in August. He tossed back-to-back three inning games right after he was called up to the 26-man roster, after which he came into a game before a rain delay, sat for two hours during the delay, and then came back out to help prevent Chad Tracy from burning another arm after the delay. He’s not a stud and he may not even be long for the organization, but you’ve got to tip your cap to Burgos for being willing to do whatever is asked of him.

#3: Alec Gamboa

August Stats: 11 IP, 1 W, 0.00 ERA, 2.91 FIP, 10 K%, 2.5 BB%, 0.64 WHIP

Gamboa has been a pleasant surprise out of the bullpen this season. He wasn’t a well-known prospect when he was first called up, and he got knocked around when they tried to use him as a starter earlier in the year, but he has become one of Tracy’s most-trusted arms in any situation. He was tasked with being the high-leverage set-up man for Aroldis Chapman during August and he toed the rubber with confidence and gave The Cuban Missile a clean runway to land the plane and convert the save. His unique windup lets you know who is on the mound without having to see the back of his jersey and, if things keep going the way they currently are, he’s going to be asked to pitch some very meaningful innings through the end of September and, hopefully, into late October.

#2: Payton Tolle

August Stats: 36 IP, 2 W, 3.00 ERA, 3.01 FIP, 31.2 K%, 7.1 BB%, 1.08 WHIP

Tolle has been better than advertised pretty much all season, but his August run was really impressive. He’s been working hard to develop his secondary pitches all season and last month his curveball may have been the best pitch he threw. We’re all familiar with his three-fastball mix, but major-league hitters are able to dial those in quickly and make Tolle pay if he’s not mixing in something that breaks. His curveball has developed into a true out-pitch for him and it’s keeping hitters from selling out against his fastballs. What this allows him to do is almost toy with opposing hitters when he’s up in the count. He can paint the corner, blow you away, or make your knees buckle at any point. As Tolle continues to develop his breaking stuff, specifically his curveball, he’s going to cement himself as a bona fide ace of this staff.

#1: Erik Miller

August Stats: 11.1 IP, 1 W, 0.79 ERA, 1.77 FIP, 43.5 K%, 6.5 BB%, 0.97 WHIP

There was some agitation when Miller was brought to Boston because of the trade piece that went the other way. What was overlooked by a lot of people was that Miller was operating as the closer for the Giants and the Red Sox are reaping the rewards of that role. He’s being used as a late-inning set-up man primarily, but Miller’s skill set lets him move anywhere in the bullpen and be successful. His strikeout rate is astronomical and he’s not showing much of the command issue that has plagued him throughout his career so far. While it’s been fairly safe to pencil in Garrett Whitlock for the future closer role in Boston, don’t overlook Miller now that he’s in town. If he can keep his command in check going forward, he’s going to be a deadly weapon through the end of the season and the postseason that Tracy will be chomping at the bit to unleash whenever possible.