Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora expresses candid opinions about Jordan Hicks following the disastrous game against the Cleveland Guardians.

The Boston Red Sox suffered an 8-1 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, a setback that has placed the team's bullpen, particularly the performance of Jordan Hicks, under the microscope during a tense playoff race.

In the game covered by The Boston Herald's Mac Cerullo, Hicks was called upon to replace Brennan Bernardino in the top of the first inning. However, his outing was far from impressive. In the second inning, Hicks gave up a leadoff double, followed by a two-run homer and two more hits. Hicks was ultimately charged with four earned runs in the Red Sox bullpen collapse.

Hicks' struggles this season have been evident, with an 8.20 ERA and a 1.98 WHIP through 21 appearances. He has allowed 17 earned runs with just two saves. The inconsistency has placed his role under the spotlight, with the Red Sox's playoff hopes hanging in the balance.

Alex Cora, the Red Sox manager, addressed the state of his bullpen and Hicks' performance following the game. His postgame message reflected both concern and confidence in Hicks, indicating a belief that internal improvement is still possible. Cora's continued support for Hicks is a testament to his faith in the player, despite the challenges faced.

The Red Sox have 21 games remaining in the 2025 season, and every performance matters. The upcoming series against the Arizona Diamondbacks could carry major postseason implications. The team will need to regroup and find solutions to address the issues within the bullpen if they are to secure a spot in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Mitch Keller, the Guardians' starting pitcher, had a mixed season. His ERA in the first 21 games of the 2025 season cannot be precisely determined from the available search results. However, his overall 2025 season ERA fluctuated around the mid-4.00s, with specific highlights including a quality start allowing two runs over 6.1 innings and a recent stretch with a 5.86 ERA over 35.1 innings in July and August.

The Red Sox will get Thursday off before heading west to face the Arizona Diamondbacks in a weekend series. They will be hoping for a turnaround in their fortunes, with the playoffs within their grasp.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora expresses candid opinions about Jordan Hicks following the disastrous game against the Cleveland Guardians.