A sweep of the Baltimore Orioles was just what the medical team ordered for the Red Sox. The O’s had been hanging around the Wild Card for weeks – even through a selloff that included their starting catcher – while the Sox won 15 straight and 9 straight and put up an historic run since the end of June. A sweep for Baltimore would have put them solidly into the playoff picture, if still a bit outside of a playoff spot. But even lacking Willson Contreras and Ceddanne Rafaela, Boston came out on top.
Now at home, the Sox welcome the Angels for three games. They played the Angels to kick off winning 15 straight at the start of July, part of the 9-game, 3-series, road sweep on their way into the All Star Break.
Speaking of former Orioles. Grayson Rodriguez, who should have been their ace by now, will start for the Orioles Monday afternoon. That ERA over 6.00 looks promising but he was really pummeled early on. A 3.2 inning 7-run outing, another with 8 runs (7 earned) obscure that he hasn’t been quite that bad. Since giving up 11 runs over two starts in July he’s actually put up a 3.49 ERA / 3.85 FIP. Baltimore acquired him for Taylor Ward who they since traded to the Mariners for prospects. Health is a skill, but maybe they do wish they’d just stuck with their guy? Brayan Bello isn’t listed as the starter but he might be! Bello has lost some of his bullpen magic of late, but the Sox need to know what kind of pitcher he has become as they approach October. It’ll be interesting to see how long he’s even in a game. Bello threw 94 pitches on 8/29. Then given three days grace before tossing another 69. Pain. This time he’ll have four days of rest. It’s not too late, never too late for Bello to reclaim a rotation spot.
Why didn’t the Angels trade Reid Detmers? Who can say. But the 27-year-old southpaw is on a roll in what is something of a breakout season. Boston hit him hard back in July with 5 runs in 5.0 innings. He gave up 5 runs to the Rangers the next time out but since then has an ERA/FIP of 1.52/2.61 over 9 starts. That includes a 7.0 inning, 1 run, gem against the Yankees last time out. New York won in 10 innings but Detmers was gone. The Sox will send Patrick Sandoval. After gutting his way through 5.1 innings with just a single run allowed against the Yankees he turned back into a Pablo pumpkin against the Mariners allowing 4 runs (3 earned) in 4.0 innings. He pitched in the same game as Bello, tossed 80 pitches, but will get even more rest. Hope it helps!
Boston will look to have their knives out against Ryan Johnson, owner of an ERA north of 5.00. However, with some luck, he’s been better of late. In 12 starts before August: 7.63/6.31 ERA/FIP with 37Ks, 20 walks in 46 innings. Since the calendar hit August, over 6 starts, 1.67/5.26 ERA/FIP with 21Ks, and 18 BBs across 32.1 innings. He hasn’t been allowing runs but it hasn’t been exactly stress free. Is Jake Bennett back? The stoic Sox lefty turned in another quality start last time out against the Orioles and has 14 Ks to 0 walks over his last two outings. You can go back another start and it’s 20-1 or perhaps 26-2 if you go back yet another start. The point is he’s been good since getting that extra rest.
Mike Trout isn’t MIKE TROUT but he’s putting up a .241/.376/.422 line with 20 homers.
Old friend Vaughn Grissom is slashing .249/.310/.391
Since the trade deadline, shortstop Zach Neto is hitting .265/.306/.444.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Monday, September 7: Grayson Rodriguez (6.03 ERA / 4.76 FIP) vs. Brayan Bello (5.07 ERA / 4.33 FIP)
Tuesday, September 8: Reid Detmers (3.44 ERA / 3.10 FIP) vs. Patrick Sandoval (4.41 ERA / 4.42 FIP)
Wednesday, September 9: Ryan Johnson (5.17 ERA / 5.88 FIP) vs. Jake Bennett (3.34 ERA / 4.22 FIP)
When/Where to Watch
Monday, September 7: 1:35 PM ET on NESN
Tuesday, September 8: 6:45 PM ET on NESN
Wednesday, September 9: 6:45 PM ET on NESN
