And the Red Sox are red hot.
Well, if it’s Thursday the Red Sox aren’t playing…except for today! Unless it rains. Which it might. But probably not hard enough or at the right time.
After taking care of the Colorado Rockies the Red Sox are riding a six-game winning streak. They’re a season-high four games over .500 with a 49-45 record. They welcome the 50-43 Tampa Bay Rays to town in what could be a battle for third place in the AL East heading into the All-Star Break.
Boston took two of three from the Rays in Tampa in April. And then took two of three from the Rays when they visited Boston in June as part of the home stand where they swept the Yankees and then traded some guy — I forget who — that used to play third base. Who can remember these things?
Taj Bradley hasn’t faced the Sox this year and he’s been…well, he’s been OK. And ERA approaching 5.00 isn’t that great but the FIP looks a little better. Over his last five starts he’s been up and down: 5 runs against the Baltimore Orioles. 6 runs against the O’s. 3 runs against the Twins. 6.2 shutout innings against against the Kansas City Royals and 4.0 shutout against the New York Mets. He’s facing Walker Buehler who didn’t implode for the first time in a while. Is there a Giolito-esque breakout about to happen? We’ll see!
Drew Rasmussen also missed the Sox both times they played this year. He’s only lasted 5.0 innings in his last two stars combined. The three before that total about 15 innings but he allowed two runs to the O’s and 4 to the Mets. He’s basically a 5.0 inning pitcher who has maxed out at 92 pitches.
Shane Baz — finally — did face the Red Sox, although Boston would rather forget those games. That 16-1 loss, he tossed six and allowed just one run. Sox did better the next time scoring 3 in 5.1 but lost in extra innings. Luckily for the Rays they’re facing Crochet during a slump. He’s actually allowed some runs and looked human.
In the “first half” finale, Ryan Pepiot is the flip side of Baz: he got touched for 6 runs in a 7-4 loss to Boston in April and allowed 3 in a 6-3 loss the second time. He was the starter in the O’s 22-8 victory over Tampa allowing 4 runs in just 1.2 innings. But over the last month plus he’s been solid otherwise. Brayan Bello is still outrunning his FIP. Thankfully the Sox defense isn’t looking quite as much like swiss cheese these days.
Masataka Yoshida is back and a perfect 3 for 3.
Alex Bregman might be activated this weekend.
Richard Fitts is probably back in the rotation after the break.
Hunter Dobbins is getting healthy.
Finish this series strong and get some time off.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Thursday July 10: Taj Bradley (4.79 ERA / 4.22 FIP) vs. Walker Buehler (6.25 ERA / 5.76 FIP)
Friday July 11: Drew Rasmussen (2.82 ERA / 3.68 FIP) vs. TBD (— ERA / — FIP)
Saturday July 12: Shan Baz (4.34 ERA / 4.45 FIP) vs. Garrett Crochet (2.39 ERA / 2.50 FIP)
Sunday July 13: Ryan Pepiot (3.32 ERA / 4.28 FIP) vs. Brayan Bello (3.27 ERA / 4.37 FIP)
When/Where to Watch
Thursday July 10: 7:10 PM ET on NESN
Friday July 11: 7:10 PM ET on NESN
Saturday July 12: 4:10 PM ET on NESN
Sunday July 13: 1:35 PM ET on NESN