Major League Baseball’s trade deadline came and went with excitement for nearly every team as either a seller or a buyer (maybe not the Reds). There was activity all over the league. And some of it will be relevant in the very first series after the deadline for the Red Sox. However there are a couple weeks remaining before we see a big upgrade at catcher. Adley Rutschman looms.
When the Red Sox were in Chicago a few weeks ago, during the winning streak, they swept the series. Since then Boston has
largely continued to win. At home. On the road. Day. Night. East, West, and Central. Boston has passed the AL Central division leaders in wins entering this series at 60-51 vs the White Sox 59-52 record. Who saw that coming a month ago?
Davis Martin faced the Red Sox in June and allowed 5 runs in 4.0 innings. He followed that up with a strong start against the Blue Jays (5.2, 1 run) and struggles against the Astros (5.0, 4 runs) and Yankees (6.0, 4 runs). While the White Sox beat the Yankees, this run was mostly a good start against a weaker Toronto offense and lesser performance against the better offensive teams. Boston waited a season and a half to see Patrick Sandoval and as injuries gutted the rotation depth he’s now a permanent fixture. Sandoval will be facing the White Sox for the second time since coming off the IL. The first was a 4.1-inning surprise where he allowed a single run.
The Red Sox missed Sean Burke on the road and it’s probably good they did. He had an incredible July while allowing just 5 runs total (4 earned) over 31.2 innings. A righty who has held both same-side hitters and lefties to mid-.600 OPS totals, he was far more effective in July than June and has more or less gotten better as the season’s gone along. He’s struck out double digit batters in three of his last five starts and recorded 9 Ks in another. This could be a quiet night for the bats if he’s on his game. Sonny Gray had a rough start against Toronto but bounced back with a solid outing against the A’s. He allowed four runs but also tossed 7.0 innings. He’s been everything the Red Sox wanted this season, especially as he’s had to replace rather than support Garret Crochet. He missed the White Sox on the road trip so this will be a fresh team for him on the season.
The Mariners didn’t exactly sell high on Luis Castillo. This whole year has been a downward slide. Lefties are putting up an OPS of nearly .900 against the righty. The strikeouts are down to their lowest level (7.8/9) and he’s allowing hits at the highest rate of his career (9.7/9). Ranger Suarez is making his third start since landing on the IL. The Sox had him on a short leash against the Blue Jays (4.0 innings) and he stuck around a little longer against the Dodgers (4.2 innings) but had given up four runs. He’s tossed exactly one inning against the White Sox in his career way back in 2019, the 6th inning of a game on August 4th. He didn’t allow a hit and recorded one K. That game was started for the Phillies by Drew Smyly.
Munetaka Murakami is off the IL and up to his old tricks. He’s up to 24 home runs on the season.
Old friend Chase Meidroth continues to have a fine season slashing .273/.348/.391.
Another old friend, Andrew Benintendi, had a .957 OPS in June to get his season on track but a lesser July.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Tuesday, August 4: Davis Martin (3.52 ERA / 3.11 FIP) vs. Patrick Sandoval (3.32 ERA /4.15 FIP)
Wednesday, August 5: Sean Burke (3.04 ERA / 3.29 FIP) vs. Sonny Gray (2.93 ERA / 3.62 FIP)
Thursday, August 6: Luis Castillo (5.06 ERA / 4.57 FIP) vs. Ranger Suarez (3.15 ERA / 2.55 FIP)
When/Where to Watch
Tuesday, August 4: 7:10 PM ET on NESN
Wednesday, August 5: 7:10 PM ET on NESN
Thursday, August 6: 7:10 PM ET on NESN
