Here comes the most annoying time of year to see Red Sox news. Tons of worthless articles with headlines like: "Red Sox predicted to ..." "Red Sox urged to ..." "Red Sox send ___ to ___ in trade idea"
I'll probably have to read 100 worthless Red Sox headlines before seeing one that has actual news.
Connelly Early needs to work on only one thing this coming offseason and next year: durability.
Here are his pitch numbers compared to some teammates. And toward the end, he didn't seem quite ready for even this much load. (Though Bello seemed to wear down, too.)
The Red Sox three big offseason pick ups, and three All Stars for 2025, all came up big in Game 1. I know there are a lot of Craig Breslow haters out there, but you gotta admit, his moves are working out.
"Hey, uh, Mr. José De León? Yeah, don't get on that plane back to Puerto Rico just yet. So, uh, how many pitches did you say you had left in you? And what are you doing next weekend?"
Here's part of the reason for Refsnyder, Eaton, and Sogard over Yoshida, Abreu, and Lowe against one of the toughest left-handed pitchers in the game tonight. Also note that Rafaela's numbers have been a lot better over the last 11 days. I like their chances with this lineup.
It was your daily updates that got me excited about a AA prospect over 10 years ago. Thanks to you, I saw Mookie Betts coming, and he became my favorite player for a number of years, and you one of my favorite Red Sox journalists.
This would be why Refsnyder, Eaton, and Sogard over Yoshida, Abreu, and Lowe against one of the toughest left-handed pitchers in the game tonight. Also note that Rafaela's numbers have been a lot better over the last 11 days. I like their chances with this lineup.
Connelly Early has faced 10% more batters in 2025 than in any previous year, and it does seem to be affecting how deep he can go into a game. If he starts Game 3 for the Red Sox this Thursday, it'll be on one day shorter rest than he's used to. I suspect he'll be limited to about 65 pitches.
Assuming Lucas Giolito returns next year, the Red Sox will have a lot of returning starting pitchers with major league starts who can fill the 4 and 5 spots in the rotation. These 8 (listed here alphabetically), assuming Hunter Dobbins recovers in time (Tanner Houck may not pitch in 2026):
Garrett Whitlock will be the only player on the Red Sox roster this coming postseason who has played in a playoff game for the Red Sox before (in 2021).
Tanner Houck also played in that postseason, but won't in this one.
Duran and Wong both played for the 2021 team, but not in the postseason.
Skip Giolito Sunday (or maybe he can throw an inning and skip his side session). Line him up to pitch on 7 days' rest Wednesday, and Bello with 6 days rest Thursday. They both look like some extra rest will help them.
Time to rest some Red Sox starters. They have nothing to play for these next two days ... taking the 2nd wildcard spot doesn't really give them an advantage over taking the 3rd spot (it may even be worse). Play Eaton, Hamilton, Sogard, Refsnyder.
As Ceddanne Rafaela came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth last night, I knew people would be thinking walk-off home run. But I swear to you, in that moment I said, "How about a walk-off triple?"
Fenway took two home runs away from the Red Sox last night. But it led to a thriller of a finish. The perfect way to clinch a playoff spot. So, this time I'll say thank you, Green Monster, for the added drama. :)
