Dodgers fans can't be happy watching Dustin May wake up after Red Sox trade

While the Dodgers trading Dustin May to the Red Sox at the trade deadline was a bit of a tough pill for some of the fanbase to swallow considering the team’s pitching injuries, it was a move that made sense at the time.

Not only had the 27-year-old already eclipsed his career-high for innings pitched in a season, but he’s also set to be a free agent after the season. 

Although both those things are still true, May’s production since joining the Red Sox may have some Dodgers fans wishing for a do-over. 

Dodgers fans can't be happy watching Dustin May wake up after Red Sox trade

May’s posted a 2.87 ERA across 15 2/3 innings (three starts) since joining Boston, which is a far cry from the 4.85 ERA he had in 104 innings with the Dodgers. 

In fact, he’s pitched so well with the Red Sox that some members of the Boston media have started the conversation about whether the team would consider bringing him back after the season. 

“Mind you he’s been insanely unlucky over this span: .292 BAA ➡️ .232 xBA & .383 babip. Surely that’ll drop soon,” PitcherList’s Griffey Geiss wrote on X, as pointed out by NESN’s Colin Keane. “Underlying stuff is great: .293 xwOBA, 31% CSW (45% on secondaries, FC is great), 42% GB, 6% barrel. He’s an extension candidate this offseason if he keeps this up."

After laying an egg in his first start with the Dodgers, May has impressed his last two times out. He tossed six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts against the Astros on Aug. 12, and allowed two runs in six innings his last time out against the Orioles. 

While May recorded seven starts with the Dodgers this year where he went 6+ innings and allowed three or fewer runs, he had only done it twice since the beginning of June.

And not only does May’s 2.87 ERA lead all Red Sox’ starters since he was acquired, but it would be third on the Dodgers behind Blake Snell’s spotless ERA and Clayton Kershaw’s 1.50 ERA. LA's pitching has been better. Tyler Glasnow is back on the mound consistently and Shohei Ohtani is getting closer to providing the length that's been expected of him.

Then again, the Dodgers have been cycling through pitchers all season, and seem to still be stuck trying to fill the swingman/emergency starter role that May could have filled. For whatever reason, it wasn't working out in LA, and May looking a lot more comfortable in Boston is a bit frustrating knowing the Dodgers did all they could to make it work.