Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper again
We’ll start with the bad news:
Brayan Bello to the IL with right lat tightness. Zack Kelly is up.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 24, 2024
The good news? Rafael Devers is in the lineup!
What do they need tonight? Obviously more bats than yesterday. But really: the Red Sox need innings. Criswell went 4.0 innings against the Los Angeles Angels but lasted just 2.1 against these same Cleveland Guardians last time out allowing 4 runs (1 earned) on 55 pitches. If Andrew Bailey has any fairy dust left he needs to sprinkle some on Criswell tonight.
Can the lineup absorb yet another injured pitcher? This is like the two months of openers in 2023 except they had to climb out of a hole where this year the Sox are at least above .500. But Alex Cora can’t manage starting pitchers who are simply unavailable.
Meanwhile, Masataka Yoshida continues to ride the bench after a slow start despite some recent success. He’s not happy. Maybe the next guy shipped out of town since he can’;t field a position and doesn’t hit enough to DH even when going well?
Interesting media scrum with Yoshida in the clubhouse. He was very careful in choosing his words through a translator. There’s some clear frustration about this diminished role. Cora talks soon.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 24, 2024
First pitch is at 6:10 PM ET on WEEI and NESN+.