Through late June, playing spoiler in a division race might have looked like the limits of success for the 2026 Red Sox. Now it’s just part of finishing the season. The Houston Astros lead the Rangers by a single game and the Red Sox are playing three against the Rangers while the Astros are matched up against the Kansas City Royals. The Royals did play well against the Sox this weekend, but one of these matchups is better on paper than the other. A strong showing this week by Boston could hand the division to the Astros.
If the Rangers take two or sweep they might find themselves in the lead in the AL West with a week-and-a-half left in the season.
Patrick Sandoval had a mixed start against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels, last time out. He allowed 4 runs and the Red Sox eventually lost 6-1 but he made it through 6.0 innings on 99 pitches. He struck out 7 and walked only two. He didn’t allow a home run. He did allow 10 hits. He wasn’t fooling anyone. Five innings, 4-5 runs. That’s all the Sox really need from him. And to make another start or two. Those innings in the regular season are huge.
Like Sandoval, Jake Bennett also wasn’t fooling any Angels hitters the last time out. Nine hits including 3 home runs in just 5.1 innings left the Sox to lose 6-4. There were so many times he almost got out of jams. One home run only just barely cleared the Moster instead of being a double. The extra rest helped earlier, maybe it’ll help again.
Sonny Gray tossed a quality start against the Royals but didn’t walk away with a win, as the Sox fell 3-2. He did toss at least 6.0 innings for the fourth time in his last five outings. That’s good. Allowing fewer than 4 runs is good – he’s done that four out of the last five times. He still leads the league with 17 wins. He’s going for 18 on Wednesday.
Jacob deGrom is going to start the first game of the series. He handled the June Sox for 6.0 innings allowing just 2 runs. Although for the pre-streak Sox that’s actually good against deGrom! Don’t write off his start, though it’s not going to be easy. Turning 38 hasn’t slowed him down at all.
Mackenzie Gore will get game two, but the Rangers don’t have a starter listed for the third game. Cody Bradford and Kumar Rocker seem to the most likely names, and they’ve both struggled.
Jake Burger and Joc Pederson lead the team with 26 homers each.
World Series legend Nathan Eovaldi is back from the IL but out of the bullpen rather than in the rotation.
Jordan Montgomery, once considered a must-sign for the Red Sox, is also off the IL in a bullpen capacity.
Corey Seager and Ezequiel Durán each have 17 homers.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Tuesday, September 15: Patrick Sandoval (4.58 ERA / 3.98 FIP) vs. Jacob deGrom (3.80 ERA / 3.03 FIP)
Wednesday, September 16: Jake Bennett (3.69 ERA / 3.64 FIP) vs. MacKenzie Gore (4.62 ERA / 3.78FIP)
Monday, September 17: Sonny Gray (2.76 ERA / 4.76 FIP) vs. TBD (— ERA / — FIP)
When/Where to Watch
Monday, September 15: 8:05 PM ET on NESN
Tuesday, September 16: 8:05 PM ET on NESN
Wednesday, September 17: 8:05 PM ET on NESN
