Another series, another run of silent bats. But Ceddanne Rafaela returned and played in two-of-three against the Cleveland Guardians.
The Cubs did clinch their playoff berth Thursday. So they are looking for seeding. Likewise, while the Red Sox are probably the second Wild Card, though there is a scenario where they fall to the third Wild Card due to losing some tiebreakers.
The action kicks off with a doubleheader: Sunday’s game was moved to Friday afternoon at 1:05 and Friday’s game was moved up
to 6:05. Saturday remains scheduled as normal, but it is expected to be rained out. In that case (and maybe sometime Friday we’ll hear) the game will be moved to Sunday. And with the aforementioned rain, it’s believed the teams may fly to Tampa and play at Tropicana Field as a neutral site. As Joe Castiglione would say “can you believe it?”
Will Willson Contreras play this weekend? Don’t count on it, per the man himself. He may not feel ready by Tuesday. He does recognize how hard his teammates are playing every day and wants to help. Thanks again, Rangers!
The Red Sox have announced Alex Gamboa and Brayan Bello as the starters for Games 1 an2 2, respectively. Gamboa could be filling in as an opener for Jake Bennett to get some innings out of him before the postseason, but that hasn’t been announced. It would be weird to do a strict bullpen game in the first part of the doubleheader in case something goes wrong in the evening. Bello, of course, is coming off one of the best starts of his entire career. Hopefully the Sox can score enough runs to win this time for him.
Chad Tracy said in Thursday’s postgame interview that Patrick Sandoval was willing to volunteer for a bit of bullpen work and the one inning he tossed Thursday evening doesn’t remove him from consideration to pitch against the Cubs.
The Cubs will be sending two-fifths of the Mets 2026 Opening Day rotation the Sox. Clay Holmes has given up 17 runs over his last three starts and last 15.1 innings. He didn’t face the Red Sox when he was with the Mets in the first half.
David Peterson had and ERA over 6.00 with the Mets (3.85 FIP) and now has an ERA of 3.94 (4.20 FIP) with the Cubs. Unlike Holmes, Peterson has been on a roll allowing just a since run in each of his last three starts. One start before he did give up 6 in 3.2 innings. So it’s not that long a run of success.
Pete Crow-Armstrong is officially a 40-40 guy.
Alex Bregman suffered a foul ball to the face while in the on deck circle a few days ago. He’s questionable to play, but like Willson might try to get in a game to tune up for the playoffs if he’s not in pain.
Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki have 24 and 25 home runs, respectively.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday, September 25 (1) (Fenway): Clay Holmes (3.25 ERA / 3.62 FIP) vs. Alex Gamboa (1.16 ERA / 3.16 FIP)
Friday, September 25 (2) (Fenway) : David Peterson (4.96 / 4.03 FIP) vs. Brayan Bello (4.49 ERA / 4.00 FIP)
Saturday, September 26 / Sunday 27 in Tampa?: TBD (— ERA / — FIP) vs. TBD (— ERA / — FIP)
When/Where to Watch
Friday, September 25 (1): 1:05 PM ET on NESN
Friday, September 25 (2): 6:05 PM ET on NESN
Saturday, September 26: 7:15 PM ET on NESN
