The Boston Red Sox faced off against the Toronto Blue Jays in a must-win series to keep their playoff hopes alive. The game featured a matchup between Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello and Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis. Francis had a strong record against the Red Sox, not allowing a run in his previous outings. On the other hand, Bello had a mixed record against the Blue Jays but had a recent win against them.
In the previous game, the Red Sox secured a 4-1 victory over the Blue Jays by taking advantage of the 10 walks issued by Toronto pitchers. This win marked Boston’s third consecutive victory while Toronto suffered their fourth successive loss. Despite the win, the Red Sox still faced an uphill battle in the playoff race, trailing behind the Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers by 3 1/2 games.
Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. fell short of reaching 200 hits for the season but maintained impressive stats with 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, and a batting average of .324. Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk extended his hitting streak to 15 games and showcased his defensive skills by throwing out attempted base stealers.
On the Red Sox side, Jarren Duran stood out with his league-leading 14th triple of the season and 47th double. He continued to perform well against the Blue Jays, batting .327 with four home runs and seven RBIs in 11 games. Nick Sogard also contributed to the team with a six-game hitting streak.
In roster news, the Red Sox placed right-hander Kenley Jansen on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation. Jansen had a solid season with 27 saves in 54 appearances, and his absence would be felt in the bullpen. Manager Alex Cora praised Jansen for his performance as the team’s closer.
As the Red Sox looked to continue their winning streak and keep their playoff hopes alive, the matchup against the Blue Jays was crucial. The team needed to maintain their momentum and play solid baseball to have a chance at securing a spot in the postseason. With the odds stacked against them, every game was a must-win for Boston as they fought for a spot in the playoffs.
