The Boston Red Sox just wrapped up a 5-1 week, even sweeping those pesky Diamondbacks, so you gotta feel good about how the bats are swingin’. But here’s the kicker: they’re kicking off a road trip staring down a Sandy Alcantara who looks like his 2023 self, maybe even better. Dude’s been absolutely cruising!
Alcantara Is Back, But Can Suarez Match Up?
Remember when Sandy Alcantara was an ace, then got hurt, then was a mess last season? Well, forget all that! For the last month, the guy’s been on another level. He’s tossed seven innings in three of his last five starts, and get this, he hasn’t even given up a single run in three of those outings. He might not be at his mind-blowing 8.0 bWAR from 2023 yet, but he’s leading the entire National League in innings and starts, and looks healthy as hell. That’s big news for any pitcher coming back. The Red Sox are sending Ranger Suarez (3.41 ERA, 2.87 FIP) to the mound against him today. Suarez just got a “sorta kinda” good outing against the Dbacks, giving up four runs. The bats had to bail him out for a 9-4 win. He and the bullpen allowed just those four, but Alcantara (3.46 ERA, 3.84 FIP) is a whole different beast right now.
Rookie Tolle’s Innings Pile Up, Gray Hunts Cy Young
Tuesday sees rookie Payton Tolle (3.08 ERA, 3.16 FIP) take the mound for Boston against an unannounced Marlins starter. Tolle had a “hard luck” loss last time out, it wasn’t his best, but some bad bounces made it worse. He’s been an impressive first-year guy, though, with two masterpieces before that last outing. You gotta wonder if the innings are piling up on him, even with the team trying to get him some extra rest. Then on Wednesday, it’s Cy Young candidate Sonny Gray (2.79 ERA, 3.60 FIP) closing out the series. His last start against the Giants wasn’t his sharpest, giving up four runs in seven innings, but the offense usually gives him plenty to work with. He’ll face Ryan Gusto (4.37 ERA, 4.00 FIP), who’s made 12 starts in his 17 appearances, throwing 57.2 innings total. Gusto’s got some good strikeout stuff, 8.0 Ks per nine, and a sweet 3.40 K/BB ratio. But he rarely goes over 68 pitches, only twice going longer than 4.2 innings. If Nick Sogard starts fouling off pitches early, this could be a quick hook for Gusto.
Oh, and remember Otto Lopez? That “big time trade candidate”? Yeah, he’s hitting just .215/.273/.241. With Sogard on the roster, who needs the Otto-mobile, right?
So, get ready for a pitching showdown tonight, August 24, at 6:40 PM ET. It’s Ranger Suarez vs. a red-hot Sandy Alcantara. Then Tolle on Tuesday and Gray on Wednesday. After that, a merciful day off. This series is gonna be a real test of those Red Sox bats and that bullpen after a solid week!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Over the Monster.
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