Jake Bennett knows that he’s probably going back to Worcester in the very near future. Sonny Gray is back. Garrett Crochet will likely be back soon. Ranger Suarez probably won’t even go on the IL. Payton Tolle doesn’t want to relinquish his rotation spot, nor does Brayan Bello, who hopefully has turned a Nick Pivetta-esque corner after shining in a bulk role against the Tigers. Unfortunately, there’s just not that much room for Bennett, a guy who is young, and unrefined, and easy to send west on the pike.
And he’s probably ok with that; he knows he’ll have plenty of chances.
But I also have no doubt that, buried somewhere in the back of Bennett’s brain is another idea, one he’s probably been thinking about for the last five days: he knows that there’s a chance — a small chance but a real one nonetheless — that he could pitch well enough tonight to stay up. It would take a lot for him to dislodge one of the names ahead of him, even the struggling Brayan Bell0. He’ll need to show more than promise, he’ll need to show dominance. Double-digit strikeouts, flirtation with a no-hitter, something like that. It will have to be something big. It’s not very likely, but he knows it’s possible.
Jake Bennett pitched the biggest game of his life when he made his MLB debut against the Astros last week. Six days later, he’s pitching the biggest game of his life again.
⚾️ First Pitch: 7:10 PM — Fenway Park, Boston, MA
📺 TV: ESPN
📻 Radio: WEEI
