Lucas Giolito's return to the mound for the Boston Red Sox marked a significant comeback after 577 days away from Major League Baseball, following elbow surgery and a challenging rehab year. Having signed a two-year deal with Boston after struggling in his last season with the Chicago White Sox, Giolito faced the added pressure of not pitching for a year while trying to connect with a new team. Despite a rocky minor league stint leading up to his return, he showcased his potential by delivering five scoreless innings against the Toronto Blue Jays before running into trouble in the sixth.

Giolito's fastball averaged 93.3 mph, and he effectively utilized his changeup. However, the slider, which he had been working to improve, did not perform as expected. Catcher Carlos Narváez has been instrumental in establishing game plans with Giolito, emphasizing the need for a better slider. Giolito expressed relief and excitement at being back on the field, eager to contribute to the Red Sox's aspirations while looking forward to his next start against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park.

Week 6 of the 2025 MLB season brings a plethora of two-start pitchers to consider for your fantasy roster. Notably, Carlos Rodon and Drew Rasmussen lead the way, boasting over 50% roster rates. Rodon faces the Padres and Athletics, while Rasmussen takes on the Phillies and Brewers. For those seeking more budget-friendly options, Andrew Abbott of the Cincinnati Reds shines with a 2.84 ERA, despite concern over his high walk rate. Lucas Giolito is another name to watch, pitching against the struggling Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals.

Riskier streamer options include rookie Jackson Jobe and Luis Severino, both with underlying metrics causing some concern. The upcoming matchups are crucial, especially for Jobe facing a tough Rockies lineup and Severino against a high-scoring Yankees team. Keep an eye on how these pitchers perform as fantasy decisions could hinge on their two-start weeks.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito made his long-awaited return to the mound Wednesday, after recovering from UCL repair surgery and a subsequent hamstring injury. In his first game since last October, Giolito pitched six innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out seven. Although the Red Sox fell to the Toronto Blue Jays, Giolito's performance showed promise, with manager Alex Cora expressing optimism about his future contributions.

Giolito, who signed a two-year, $38.5 million contract with Boston in January 2024, is working to regain the form that saw him post a 3.47 ERA and three top-11 Cy Young finishes from 2019 to 2021. His comeback is essential for a Red Sox rotation that is also anticipating the returns of Richard Fitts and Kutter Crawford from injury.

In a stunning turn of events, the Boston Red Sox squandered a commanding 6-0 lead against the Toronto Blue Jays, ultimately losing 7-6 in a 10-inning walkoff. Lucas Giolito, making his Red Sox debut after a lengthy recovery from injury, pitched six strong innings but faltered in the sixth, allowing three runs, including two crucial home runs following a critical walk to George Springer.

Despite Giolito's solid performance, manager Alex Cora acknowledged the momentum shift after the 0-2 walk to Springer. Garrett Whitlock also faced troubles in the seventh, giving up a three-run homer to Anthony Santander that tied the game. The Red Sox offense failed to capitalize after the sixth inning, highlighting the need for better finishing in games. Giolito emphasized the importance of maintaining focus throughout the game.

Boston Red Sox experienced a gut-wrenching 7-6 defeat against the Toronto Blue Jays in extra innings despite leading 6-0 at one point. The Red Sox's Garrett Whitlock struggled in the seventh, giving up a game-tying three-run homer to Anthony Santander. In the 10th inning, Toronto's Jeff Hoffman shut down Boston, striking out Alex Bregman and Trevor Story. Blue Jays clinched the win with Alejandro Kirk's walk-off single, sending Vladimir Guerrero Jr. home.

Lucas Giolito had a solid debut for the Red Sox, allowing three runs and striking out seven over six innings, though he faltered in the sixth with back-to-back homers. Carlos Narváez contributed significantly with a two-run blast that initially put Boston ahead. The series finale is set for Thursday night, featuring Boston's Tanner Houck against Toronto's José Berríos.