Plus, a 50 year celebration of the 1975 team.
The Red Sox have lost three series in a row. They lost 2-3 to the San Francisco Giants, were swept by the Los Angeles Angels, and dropped 2-3 to the Toronto Blue Jays.
They enter tonight at 41-44. Boston is 8 games back in the division. Two-and-a-half games out of a Wild Card.
Craig Breslow insists they are buyers. Which can be true! But if he waits until the deadline will they be still be in range having sat out seeking help in July?
The Reds are 44-40. They’re 5.0 game back in the NL Central. They are also 2.5 games out of a Wild Card.
Both the Red Sox and Giants are 4-8 since the trade for Rafael Devers. So far no players from the trade have contributed to Boston. Devers, for his part, is slashing .212/.388/.394.
The Red Sox were 9-4 in the first half of June until the trade and sit at 4-8 with one game remaining for the back half.
But there is some good news…
Welcome back, Tito! Yes, The Cincinnati Reds have a new manager this season and it’s Terry Francona.
Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images
Once again, the Red Sox need to win this series. They need to sweep but hey, let’s keep it realistic-ish.
In game one Boston has Garrett Crochet pitching. He’s winless at Fenway Park. He’s very good. He’ll be opposed by wunderkind Chase Burns. Burns was drafted second overall in the 2024 draft and in the minors this season (he didn’t pitch after being drafted) he made 13 starts over 66 innings posting a 1.77 ERA across three minor league levels. He struck out 89 while walking 13. In his major league debut last week against the Yankees he struck out eight over five innings – including a buzz saw first-time through the lineup – while allowing three runs. He throws 100. He was born in Italy. It might be a brutal night for the strikeout-heavy Sox lineup. But the Yankees figured him out a bit after an initial shock. So if Crochet can do his normal thing they might have time to outlast the rookie.
Brady Singer, in his first year in Cincinnati after being traced from the Kansas City Royals for Jonathan India, has been…fine. Over 16 starts this year he has struck out 76 in 85 innings while walking 36. He’s given up 10 home runs, exactly in line with his career averages. He’s gone at least 5.0 innings in 14 starts. He’s given up more than three runs just three times (four twice, seven once). Frankly he’d have been a wonderful fit for the Boston rotation with this resume. What might help is that the Reds have lost seven of his starts. Richard Fitts will take the ball for Boston. In his first start back from the minors he allowed 4 runs in 4.0 innings against the Angels. He’ll look to keep bouncing back to his pre-injury form.
Per NESN, the July 1 game will be 1975 themed. During Sunday’s broadcast Dave O’Brien said they will be dressed ‘75, use vintage graphics, and maybe do a bit in black and white. So that’s something to watch for.
The Reds don’t have a starter identified for Wednesday night. But whoever it is will face off with Brayan Bello. The righty is coming off a strange start: he struggled early giving up three early runs and barely escaping the first inning. But he settled down to end up with the definition of a quality start: 3 runs in 6 innings. The bullpen and the offense…well they didn’t show up. Bello is still looking at a FIP higher than his ERA so it’s not a perfect turnaround for him but he hasn’t allowed more than three runs May 18 and his last five starts have all been five innings or more.
Marcelo Mayer will be back, rejoining the team after a bereavement leave.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Monday June 30: Chase Burns (5.40 ERA / 2.49 FIP) vs. Garrett Crochet (2.06 ERA / 2.54 FIP)
Tuesday July 1: Brady Singer (4.31 ERA / 4.23 FIP) vs. Richard Fitts (4.68 ERA / 6.25 FIP)
Wednesday July 2: TBD (— ERA / — FIP) vs. Brayan Bello (3.41 ERA / 4.42 FIP)
When/Where to Watch
Monday June 30: 7:10 PM ET on NESN
Tuesday July 1: 7:10 PM ET on NESN
Wednesday July 2: 7:10 PM ET on NESN