Red Sox place David Hamilton on IL; look to make it three in a row over Blue Jays
Rafael Devers remains out of the lineup for the third straight game
The Red Sox are entering Thursday night’s series finale with the Blue Jays just three games out of the third and final wild card spot in the American League.
Boston closed the gap in the standings after defeating Toronto 3-0 on Wednesday night, behind a stellar pitching performance from Brayan Bello. The righty tossed eight innings of shutout ball en route to his 12th win of the season.
The Sox will turn to Kutter Crawford, who has pitched well over his last two starts, but has taken the loss in each outing. He has allowed five runs on five hits in 10 1/3 innings.
In his career against the Jays, Crawford has made four starts, owning a 1-1 record with a 4.26 ERA, allowing nine earned runs off 19 hits with eight walks and 16 strikeouts over 19 innings. The last time he was on the mound to face Toronto was the rain-shortened game on June 26; he tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings before the game was suspended.
Rafael Devers will miss his third straight game of the series with soreness in both his shoulders. Alex Cora told reporters on Wednesday that Devers would either return to the lineup on Thursday or Friday when the Sox go on the road in Detroit.
Mickey Gasper is penciled into the No. 2 hole and playing second base as he looks to get his first big league hit. The New Hampshire native is 0-for-8 with three walks since he was promoted from Triple-A Worcester on Aug. 12.
Masataka Yoshida will bring a five-game hitting streak into Thursday night’s finale. He is 0-for-1 against the Jays’ Bowden Francis. Yoshida is batting .339 in his last 52 games dating back to June 24. Over that span, he owns a .915 OPS and has knocked in 36 RBI with seven homers and 12 doubles.
Two roster moves ahead of the series finale
The Red Sox have placed infielder David Hamilton on the injured list with a left index finger fracture. Boston has recalled infielder/outfielder Nick Sogard from the WooSox.
Hamilton broke his finger in the win on Wednesday night when he bunted in the eighth inning. He jammed his finger on the play and was later replaced by Gasper in the ninth inning.
“When he bunted, he hit his finger,” Cora said after Wednesday’s game. “He’s pretty sore.”
The 26-year-old rookie was batting .248 with eight homers, 17 doubles, one triple, 28 RBI, and 47 runs in 98 games this season. He also has swiped 33 bases, one ahead of Jarren Duran on the team, who has 32 thefts this year.
Red Sox vs. Francis: Triston Casas 0-1, Rafael Devers 0-1, Tyler O’Neill 0-1, Rob Refsnyder 1-1, Masataka Yoshida 0-1
Blue Jays vs. Crawford: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 4-9, Spencer Horwitz 0-1, Alejandro Kirk 0-3, Davis Schneider 0-0, George Springer 4-10, Daulton Varsho 0-3
Since the All-Star break, Guerrero Jr. is batting .413 (57-for-138) with 16 doubles, one triple, 13 homers, 30 RBI, .826 slugging percentage, and a 1.320 OPS. Over that span, he leads the Majors in doubles, batting average, and extra base hits (30).
Red Sox (69-64) lineup vs. the Blue Jays (65-70):
1. Jarren Duran CF
2. Mickey Gasper 2B
3. Tyler O’Neill LF
4. Triston Casas 1B
5. Wilyer Abreu RF
6. Masataka Yoshida DH
7. Danny Jansen C
8. Nick Sogard 3B
9. Ceddanne Rafaela SS
SP: RHP Kutter Crawford (8-11, 4.19 ERA)
The first pitch is at 7:10 p.m. and can be seen on NESN, FuboTV, or Sling, and it can be heard on WEEI 93.7 FM.
Red Sox pitching probables beginning Friday night on the road in Detroit:
Friday: RHP Tanner Houck (8-9, 3.23 ERA) vs. TBD
Saturday: RHP Nick Pivetta (5-9, 4.61 ERA) vs. Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal (15-4, 2.58 ERA)
Sunday: TBD vs. Tigers RHP Ty Madden (0-1, 1.80 ERA)
