The Boston Red Sox, struggling with a 1-7 record in their last eight games, face the Cincinnati Reds tonight at Fenway Park. After dropping two of three to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Red Sox are looking to turn things around and avoid falling further behind in the AL East and Wild Card race.
Pitching Matchup: Crochet vs. Burns
Tonight's game features an exciting pitching duel. The Red Sox will send left-hander Garrett Crochet to the mound. Crochet boasts a stellar 2.06 ERA, ranking third in the American League. However, he's still searching for his first win at Fenway Park this season. He's coming off a strong outing where he pitched seven shutout innings but received a no-decision.
The Cincinnati Reds will counter with rookie right-hander Chase Burns, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft. Burns is making just his second major league start. In his debut, he impressed with a fastball that averaged 98 mph and touched 100 mph, striking out eight Yankees in five innings.
Key Stats and Storylines
- The Red Sox have allowed at least five runs in seven of their last 11 games.
- The Reds have won six of their last seven series.
- Terry Francona, the new manager for the Reds, returns to Fenway Park.
Lineups
Here are the projected lineups for tonight's game:
Reds: Friedl CF, McLain 2B, De La Cruz SS, Hays DH, Steer LF, Stephenson C, Hinds RF, Encarnacion-Strand 1B, Espinal 3B
Red Sox: Duran LF, Anthony DH, Toro 1B, Narváez C, Abreu RF, Story SS, Mayer 3B, Hamilton 2B, Rafaela CF
Will the Red Sox break their losing streak, or will the Reds continue their winning ways? Tune in tonight to find out!