Connor Wong and Romy Gonzalez make spring debut, Tanner Houck starts vs. the Twins in first Chairman's Cup matchup
The Red Sox lost to the Phillies on the road in Clearwater, Florida, 7-5 on Friday afternoon. Boston returns back to Fenway South to play the Twins at 1:05 p.m.
This will be the first of six games between the Sox and Twins, who will begin their battle for the 2025 Chairman’s Cup. The clubs split the 2024 Chairman’s Cup, while the Twins lead in the all-time series, 15-14-3. Minnesota also holds a 93-84-2 edge in games.
Tanner Houck makes his first start of the spring, looking to build off his successful 2024 season, where he made 30 starts and was an American All-Star.
“I know that last year was a great step forward in terms of my growth as a player, new career highs [in most categories], and everything, and I hope to do that again this year,” said Houck. “Ended on a little bit of a sour note, which I could have finished stronger, but to say that I had a good year last year, finished all the way through, and got the 30 starts was a great feat.”
Houck was initially scheduled to make his first Grapefruit League start on Monday against the Yankees, but the rain had other plans. The righty ended up getting his work in by throwing indoors.
Romy Gonzalez and Connor Wong are also making their spring debuts. Gonzalez will bat seventh and be the designated hitter, while Wong will be behind the plate, batting fifth.
Wong had been dealing with a sore throwing shoulder the last week and the Red Sox have been working him back slowly.
What happened on Friday?
Garrett Crochet started versus the Phillies and struck out 3 batters over 1 2/3 scoreless innings. He surrendered a first-inning hit when he left a fastball up in the zone to Bryce Harper, who singled into right field. He walked three, all in the second inning while throwing 41 pitches.
Despite the wheels coming off in the second inning, Crochet said he felt mechanically sound and liked his fastball and slider.
“I feel like I kind of stumbled a little bit, but I also feel like I took steps forward, so it’s all right,” said Crochet. “If I avoid looking at the scorecard for the rest of the day, I will continue to feel that way.
“I came in and told [pitching coach Andrew] Bailey, ‘I’m executing my pitches. They’re either just missing or I’m not getting them [called for strikes].’ That’s my main takeaway. Even with the walks, it’s an uncharacteristic kind of day for me, but I felt like overall execution was good.”
Richard Fitts tossed two scoreless innings of relief, giving up two hits with three strikeouts and touching 99 mph in the outing.
Roman Anthony drew three walks, scored a run, and drove in a run. Abraham Toro hit a two-run single in the 3rd inning. Kristian Campbell’s offensive struggles continued; he went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and is now 0-for-9 with seven strikeouts this spring.
Key stats, information, and Red Sox lineup
Masataka Yoshida will be the DH in the game against the Mets on Sunday.
Rafael Devers is still on track to play in his first game on Wednesday, but it’s not clear if he’ll play third base or be the designated hitter.
Brayan Bello threw a bullpen session with Pedro Martinez looking on Friday afternoon. The righty was throwing at 70-75% and still expects to be ready for Opening Day.
“Felt really good,” Bello said via a team translator. “Body’s good; shoulder was good; mechanics are good.”
Kutter Crawford threw a bullpen on Friday to test his knee soreness and told reporters he felt good after the session.
The Red Sox signed right-handed pitcher Nick Burdi to a minor league deal, a source tells Beyond the Monster. His deal does not include an invite to camp.
The Red Sox pitching probables in addition to Houck on Saturday are LHP Aroldis Chapman, RHP Justin Slaten, LHP Justin Wilson, RHP Luis Guerrero, and RHP Cooper Criswell.
The Twins pitching probates in addition to Bailey Ober are RHP David Festa, RHP Jhoan Duran, RHP Louis Varland, RHP Darren McCaughan, RHP Travis Adams, and RHP Justin Topa.
Ober makes his 2025 spring debut today; he has been primarily throwing live at-bats to his teammates so far this spring
Red Sox (3-3) lineup vs. Twins (2-4)
Jarren Duran LF
Alex Bregman 3B
Triston Casas 1B
Trevor Story SS
Connor Wong C
Rob Refsnyder RF
Romy Gonzalez DH
Ceddanne Rafaela CF
Vaughn Grissom 2B
SP: Tanner Houck (2024: 9-10, 3.12 ERA, 3.32 FIP)
The first pitch is at 1:05 p.m., and the game can be heard on WEEI 93.7 and can be seen on NESN.
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