Daily Red Sox Links: Alex Cora, Kiké Hernández, Max Scherzer

The Red Sox pitching has taken a major step back over the last couple of weeks, and especially over the last week or so. That also happens to coincide with the league starting to crack down more on sticky substances used by pitchers. The team is adamant there is no connection. (Tom Westerholm; Boston.com)

Chad Jennings wasn’t just going to take their word, though. He dug into some spin rate data to see if there were any indications that they may have changed some things up over the last couple weeks. (Chad Jennings; The Athletic)

The cause is less important than the actual results here, though, and the results have been less-than-favorable for the Red Sox. (Peter Abraham; Boston Globe)

Alex Cora talked about the team’s pitching woes of late as well. (Christopher Smith; Masslive)

Whatever the case may be, the Red Sox will likely need reinforcements in July, so John Tomase looks at some potential options to boost the rotation. (Justin Leger; NBC Sports Boston)

It’s a good thing Kiké Hernández wears a face shield. (Rob Bradford; WEEI)