The Red Sox are 27-4 in their last 31 games. It’s the most remarkable stretch of regular season baseball I’ve ever had the privilege to witness. So believe me when I say that I do not want to be the person talking about cyclosporiasis at the barbecue. But in light of the fact that that’s kind of my job, I do have to say: if the good times are going to end, today’s game was offered a template of how it’s going to happen.
Jake Bennett has been a huge (and completely unexpected) part of this unfathomable
stretch of baseball. But he’s a relatively unheralded rookie who, just today, set a new professional career high in innings pitched. He was by no means horrible, but he didn’t have his best stuff and couldn’t make it through six innings, leaving the game as the Sox found themselves in a one-run deficit.
Justin Slaten, who replaced him, was actually one of the more well-rested arms in an otherwise depleted bullpen. But “well-rested” in this case just meant that he didn’t pitch yesterday, having thrown 17 pitches the day before. He immediately walked a hitter and allowed a double, giving the A’s a three-run lead. This, essentially, was the ballgame. The Red Sox offense, which has been magic for most of the past six weeks and was again in the first inning today, scoring two runs on the strength of three stolen bases, suddenly reverted t0 pre-streak form, stranding runners on second base in both the fourth and fifth innings and otherwise barely even threatening to wake up.
This run has been amazing and magical and will never be forgotten. Dave O’Brien absolutely nailed it when he thanked the surging Sox for saving the summer. But the bill is coming due and it’s going to paid in the currency of arms. There’s only one question that matters for the Red Sox for the rest of the regular season: can this pitching staff hang on? Today, it didn’t.
Studs
Raymond Burgos: When the hell was the last time a pitcher threw three or more innings in consecutive days? Burgos did it for the Sox this afternoon, and, thus, saved the rest of the bullpen to throw another day. He’s not long for the big league roster, but let us not forget his contribution this afternoon.
Jahmai Jones: Three hits, two doubles two runs, and two stolen bases from a guy who was DFA’d by another team a few weeks ago. This is what it means to be in the midst of a special season.
Nick Sogard: Jones wasn’t the only guy to secure two two-baggers. Take your flowers, Nick.
Duds
Jarren Duran: 0-4 with 3 Ks. So much for the “Duran might be turning things around” talk that’s been going around.
Eli White: Not the best first start he could have imagined, going 0-4 with 2 Ks.
Jake Bennett: I’m not at all mad at Jake Bennett, please don’t put in the paper that I’m mad at Jake Bennett. He’s already done more than enough for the 2026 Red Sox. He just didn’t have it today.
