Red Sox problem is the bullpen??? I beg to differ

All year long Red Sox fans have lamented the fact that Dave Dombrowski didn't replace 2 important pieces of the bullpen. Namely, Craig Kimbrel and Joe Kelly.

 I agree, it wasn't a wise move and it hasn't helped.

However, the pebble in the shoe all year long has been the ≈ $88.0M starting rotation or 36.2% of the payroll on just 5 pitchers.

Blame has to be relative to expectations.

This is where Dombrowski went all in. His assumed logic being that having a strong starting staff and a potent offense would minimize the need for relievers needed in "close" games. And that on or near the deadline, when he saw which relievers were or weren't having breakout years for the Red Sox, fill in the bullpen with minor trades for the hot relievers on out of contention teams.

Regretfully, Dombrowski's plan blew up from Game 1.

Red Sox first 20 games (7-13, .350) the starters were

TEAM	GS	W	L	IP	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
BOS	20	2	11	95 1/3	21	42	85	6.61	1.59

Just a massive underachievement that started the Red Sox season under water after just 20 games.

Red Sox next 60 games (36-24, .600) the starters righted the ship and seemed to be rounding in the form, earning their massive salaries.

Please notice the starters production versus the first 20 games.

TEAM	GS	W	L	IP	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
BOS	60	20	16	322 2/3	37	86	356	3.90	1.18

And finally, the Red Sox last 20 games (11-9, .550) where the Red Sox starters have just imploded again.

TEAM	GS	W	L	IP	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
BOS	20	10	5	102 1/3	22	35	111	5.89	1.51

Now lets's look at where the 2019 Red Sox starters are in relation to 2018 thru 100 games.

YEAR	GS	W	L	IP	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	IP/GS
2018	100	48	23	571	71	176	615	3.70	1.21	5.71
2019	100	32	32	520 1/3	80	163	552	4.79	1.32	5.20

So the cry that the bullpen deserves some blame, would be correct. 

But the real culprit in this uneven season is the starting rotation.

Lack of shutdown performances AND length of the outings has put a bigger onus on an already underwhelming bullpen.

Blaming the bullpen is an easy narrative, but it reminds me a struggling company having their $100,000 a year management staff laying off the $15.00 an hour switchboard operator because business has dropped off.