Punch to .500, literally or metaphorically
According to FanGraphs the Red Sox have a 20.7% chance of making the playoffs right now. They have a 34-36 record. They are 9.0 games behind the Yankees in the AL East and 3.0 games out of a Wild Card.
Roman Anthony just collected his first hit.
Marcelo Mayer had his first two homer game.
Fans are excited…
…to see the future on the bench.
The Yankees may have three lefty starters this weekend.
Alex Cora may sit his left-handed hitting rookies Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony.
He explains. www.nytimes.com/athletic/641…
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey.bsky.social) 2025-06-11T15:50:56.952Z
This is not a piece about Cora’s platooning or general rostering decisions. (Well maybe just a little.) But keep in mind, it was only 2 weeks ago that Kristian Campbell was announced as the first baseman for “one game over the weekend” and then “Sunday.” And has Campbell made a single appearance at first base? No. While Cora is, correctly, saying that MLB lefties are a different beast than minor league southpaws, this plan could change on a dime.
In 252 plate appearance Romy Gonzalez is a .293/.337.487 hitter against lefties.
Rob Refsnyder has slashed .277/.382/.429 over more than 700 plate appearances.
Anthony and Mayer should definitely face MLB lefties. They must to actually learn how to hit them at this level and Anthony, with reverse splits in the minors, is probably better positioned to adapt that familiarity to a new level.
The other of part of this strategy: if the offense, with Rob and Romy (Romy and Refsnyder? Too much like a law firm or a commuting call-in show? Rob and Gonzalez in the Morning!) hits these Yankees starters early those are some nice bats off the bench. Cora could have a first half/second half of the game platoon if the lineup can get into the bullpen.
The Sox hit Yarbrough for 8 earned runs in 4.0 innings last week. More of that, please.
They hit Rodón for 5 runs in 5.0 innings.
Hunter Dobbins out-pitched Garret Crochet, minus the Ks. But hey, we’ll take it any day. Also, his dad: kinda a fibber. Happy Father’s Day!
Max Fried, who the Sox were fortunate enough to skip last time, pitches on Sunday afternoon. At least we’ll be spared the ESPN broadcasters. After losing out on Fried because he was 31 —
— the Sox pivoted to Crochet but they sure lost out on a good pitcher. He has one start where he’s given up more than 2 earned runs. That was against the Los Angeles Dodgers (5.0 innings, 8 hits, 0 walks, 3 Ks, 2 home runs). Maybe Varitek asked his old friend Dave Roberts about their strategy?
This is a tougher ask than last weekend or the series against the Tampa Bay Rays but the Sox need to find two wins. The good news? Crochet matches up against their weakest pitcher. That should put Friday within reach (if the offense shows up).
Saturday…well, they just did it. Hopefully they took notes.
Sunday will be rough but with the righty-lineup in there, you know, maybe they can figure this out.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday June 13: Ryan Yarbrough (4.17 ERA / 4.47 FIP) vs. Garrett Crochet (2.35 ERA / 2.69 FIP)
Saturday June 14: Carlos Rodón (2.87 ERA / 2.94 FIP) vs. Hunter Dobbins (4.20 ERA / 3.89 FIP)
Sunday June 15: Max Fried (1.84 ERA / 2.88 FIP) vs. Brayan Bello (3.96 ERA / 4.57 FIP)
When/Where to Watch
Friday June 13: 7:10 PM ET on NESN, MLBN
Saturday June 14: 7:15 PM ET on FOX
Sunday June 5: 1:35 PM ET on NESN, MLBN