Stop the bleeding.
The Toronto Blue Jays are heading to Fenway Park at 43-37, three games behind the Yankees in the AL East, and 1.5 games ahead of the Seattle Mariners in the Wild Card race. The Jays hold the second of the three extra playoff spots. They are, however, just 5-5 in their last 10 games.
The Red Sox are sitting at 40-42, seven games out of first place again, 2.0 games behind the Mariners for a playoff spot. In front of them: the Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Angels, and Texas Rangers.
A sweep from the Blue Jays would put Boston 7.0 games out of third place in the AL East. Right now the Sox are still 5.0 games out of last place.
The offense disappeared without Rafael Devers. Alex Bregman is at least another month away.
Craig Breslow plans to be buyers “at the deadline” although waiting until the deadline might be far too late.
The Blue Jays took three of four the first time they were in Boston this season. Then the Red Sox took one of three in Toronto. So the Sox are 2-5 on the year against the Jays.
José Berríos is coming off a run of four quality starts in five tries – just a 4.2 inning, 6-run outing against the Philadelphia Phillies as the only blemish. Berríos allowed 1 run in 7.0 innings and 2 runs in 6.2 innings in his starts against Boston this year — though both predate Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony, two left-handed hitters. Brayan Bello has been on something of a hot streak but the bats need to have something figured against Berríos.
Chris Bassitt shut down the Phillies but was knocked around by the Athletics and Cardinals. The 36-year old righty allowed just a single run in 5.1 innings the other time they met this season. Lucas Giolito has that disastrous start against the Angels but has otherwise been fantastic over the last month. He’s gonna need another good start. These first two games are essential…
…Because Walker Buehler pitches on Sunday. He’ll be facing Eric Lauer. Lauer, a lefty, tossed 4.0 innings of two-run ball against Boston in April. He’s in his seventh major league season and really doesn’t have a track record of success. The Jays have found a way though. He’s making 4.0 inning starts. Throwing 85 pitches max. Limiting exposure. Walker Buehler is more pitching to abundance….of runs for the other team.
They need two wins here. Need. And one of these games is as good a white flag as you can forecast.
Craig Breslow thinks this team is headed to October…and they still might. But they need a month of play like they had against the Yankees.
Vlad Jr. got hit by a pitch Thursday and left the game. Maybe he’ll need, say, three days to rest his arm.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday June 27: José Berríos (3.51 ERA / 4.27 FIP) vs. Brayan Bello (3.31 ERA / 4.42 FIP)
Saturday June 28: Chris Bassitt (3.61 ERA / 3.41 FIP) vs. Lucas Giolito (4.53 ERA / 4.29 FIP)
Sunday June 29: Eric Lauer (2.21 ERA / 3.84 FIP) vs. Walker Buehler (6.29 ERA / 5.74 FIP)
When/Where to Watch
Friday June 27: 7:10 PM ET on NESN
Saturday June 28: 4:10 PM ET on NESN
Sunday June 29: 1:35 PM ET on NESN