Red Sox welcome Diamondbacks to Fenway Park as team falls back into abyss

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 25: The Arizona Diamondbacks mascot carries an Arizona Diamondbacks flag before the MLB baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 25, 2024 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire

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What is the story about?

Hey, this worked once before.

The Red Sox have now lost three straight series. They went 2-5 on the road trip. The starters struggled. The offense struggled. Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten hit the IL (although Aroldis Chapman and Erik Miller looked good). Now it’s time for the Arizona Diamondbacks to come to Boston. The DBacks had been in second place in the AL West behind the Dodgers but a hot Padres team has surpassed them recently. They’re also out of a Wild Card right now, sitting a game behind the Padres and Phillies.

This series is big for them.

Mitch Bratt is a a southpaw in his rookie year. He’s made seven starts on the season and over 33.2 innings has allowed 28 hits, 5 homers, 19 walks, 14 runs, and has compiled 25 strikeouts. His FIP might paint a better picture as both righties (.214/.353/.369) and lefties (.263/.300/.553) have had some success reaching base or slugging against him. Brayan Bello and Alex Gamboa will both be available for game 1 after an opener. The plan, per Alex Speier of the Globe, is to give Jake Bennett extra rest with the bullpen start Monday and the off day on Thursday.

Merrill Kelly returned to Arizona after half a season on the Texas Rangers in 2025. Back where he belongs. Although things haven’t been great after the reunion. He’s put up an ERA north of 5.00 across 22 starts. One of those was, of course, a complete game. Last time out he allowed 6 runs in 5.0 innings. Skip a start back it was 5 runs in 5.0. He’s gone about 5.0 innings in each of his last five starts and in the other three appearances he allowed a combined 4 runs. Which Kelly shows up on Tuesday is anyone’s guess. With 82 Ks and 53 BBs across 125 innings he hasn’t helped himself much. Kelly will face Ranger Suarez. The Sox big free agent acquisition had an OK outing last time out against the Jays, showing progress in recovery from injury. He made it through 5 innings, allowed 1 run, but watched his team fall 6-4 as the bullpen took on a few innings. His last start of more than 5.0 innings was June 29th. Hopefully he’s turning the corner after his injury in July. Unlike a lot of the rotation he’s in fine shape regarding his innings as he’s in his 9th major league season. He’s been good overall but hasn’t always gone deep and has battled injuries.

Brandon Pfaadt is somewhere in between Bratt and Kelly: this is his fourth major league season. And it’s been something off a breakout. He doesn’t strike out many guys, just 61 in 92.2 innings. But he also only has allowed 24 walks, a much better rate than the Ks. A righty, he’s allowed a .697 OPS to lefty bats but just .581 to same-handed hitters. He’s opposed by the number two to Sonny Gray’s number one in the rotation: Payton Tolle. Tolle saved the series against the Jays and the bullpen last time out. Tossing 8.0 shutout innings after his 14 K start the time before what more can you possibly say about this guy? He’s dragging the Red Sox to the finish line.

Ketel Marte is hitting .251/.315/.448 with 21 homers.

Corbin Carroll had a tough July (.611 OPS) but has rallied in August (.976).

Their other big slugger, Nolan Arenado, is headed for an MRI. Take a few games off, buddy.