Objects in mirror are closer than they appear
The Red Sox faced a brutal start to the unofficial second half: the Dodgers, Yankees, Mariners, Astros, Orioles. And it’s getting a little easier. Although the Arizona Diamondbacks aren’t exactly pushovers either.
The DBacks have put themselves back into the NL West race by improving on .407 and .423 winning percentages in the first two months of the season with marks of .593 in June, .680 in July, .and .737 in August. That’s a Boeing number. As with the Houston Astros, Boston missed the DBacks when they were bad.
First baseman Christian Walker and second baseman Ketel Marte are on the IL, which is a help.
2023 NL Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll enters with a .222/.310/.396 slash line. Unfortunately for the Sox that’s still reflecting the past. Since July 1st he’s been hitting .239/.322/.555. Oof. Since August 1st he’s been on even more of a tear: .261/.338/.609. Despite his slow start Carroll has 11 triples, leading the NL and just 2 behind Boston’s own Jarren Duran.
Report: MLB execs believe Red Sox will end up signing Jordan Montgomery https://t.co/kOHoQyTSbk
— Boston.com (@BostonDotCom) March 4, 2024
Jordan Montgomery, who is more than likely not pitching this weekend, and was mentioned as connected to the Red Sox all winter long, has had a heck of a season. In the bad way. Rocking an ERA of 6.64 with a FIP closer to five than four. The team he picked is closer to the playoffs. If he makes that roster. We’ll just leave him at that.
Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images
Old friend Eduardo Rodriguez – also unlikely top pitch – finally made his season debut on August 7th and has made three starts of about 5 innings each.
The projected starters – Nelson, Gallen, and Kelly – have had their ups and downs.
The Tampa Bay Rays just swept the Snakes last week facing this same group. This is the post-deadline, not really trying Rays.
Probable Starters
Friday: Ryne Nelson (4.35 ERA / 3.61 FIP) vs. Brayan Bello (4.80 ERA / 4.55 FIP)
Saturday: Zac Gallen (3.85 ERA / 3.34 FIP) vs. Kutter Crawford (4.25 ERA / 4.76 FIP)
Sunday: Merrill Kelly (3.63 ERA / 4.06 FIP) vs. Tanner Houck (3.01 ERA / 3.18 FIP)
Game Times
Friday: 7:10 PM ET on WEEI and NESN.
Saturday: 4:10 PM ET on WEEI and NESN.
Sunday: 1:35 PM ET on WEEI and NESN.