
Red Sox play the Rays on home winning streak
Boston; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Rays: Drew Rasmussen (7-5, 2.82 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 76 strikeouts); Red Sox: Hunter Dobbins (0-0)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Rays -113, Red Sox -107; over/under is 9 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Red Sox, on a four-game home winning streak, host the Tampa Bay Rays.
Boston is 29-20 at home and 50-45 overall. The Red Sox have a 37-12 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.
Tampa Bay has a 22-19 record on the road and a 50-44 record overall. The Rays are 22-7 in games when they did not give up a home run.
Friday's game is the eighth time these teams meet this season. The Red Sox are up 5-2 in the season series.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jarren Duran has 24 doubles, 10 triples and eight home runs while hitting .260 for the Red Sox. Wilyer Abreu is 11 for 39 with two doubles and five home runs over the last 10 games.
Junior Caminero leads the Rays with 23 home runs while slugging .509. Brandon Lowe is 10 for 32 with four home runs and eight RBIs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Red Sox: 9-1, .323 batting average, 3.00 ERA, outscored opponents by 46 runs
Rays: 3-7, .268 batting average, 4.45 ERA, outscored by five runs
INJURIES: Red Sox: Nick Burdi: 60-Day IL (knee), Liam Hendriks: 60-Day IL (hip), Zack Kelly: 15-Day IL (oblique), Justin Slaten: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Luis Guerrero: 15-Day IL (elbow), Hunter Dobbins: 15-Day IL (elbow), Josh Winckowski: 60-Day IL (elbow), Alex Bregman: 10-Day IL (quadricep), Triston Casas: 60-Day IL (knee), Kutter Crawford: 60-Day IL (knee), Tanner Houck: 15-Day IL (flexor), Patrick Sandoval: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Rays: Richie Palacios: 60-Day IL (knee), Brandon Lowe: day-to-day (side), Manuel Rodriguez: 15-Day IL (forearm), Jonny Deluca: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Hunter Bigge: 15-Day IL (lat), Shane McClanahan: 60-Day IL (tricep), Alex Faedo: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nathan Lavender: 60-Day IL (elbow)
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Vancouver Sun
2 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
Blue Jays dominance could result in best regular season in team's history
After several years of witnessing MLB mediocrity, casual and diehard Toronto Blue Jays fans are being rewarded with a reason to watch and cheer for Canada's only baseball team. Depending on how this week's games play out — theirs and others — the Jays, already leading the American League East division with a 59-42 record, could find themselves in possession of the top record in baseball. And while a franchise-best 11-game home game winning streak ended with a 5-4 ninth-inning loss to the second-place New York Yankees Tuesday night, there's a lot of baseball left to play. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. But even if they don't finish as MLB's top overall team — a feat never accomplished by any Jays team — if they keep playing this brand of baseball, they could produce one of the best regular seasons in the organization's 49-year history and a possible rival to those that led to back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. Finishing as one of the top two teams in the American League (AL), meanwhile, would still be a major boon as it would grant the team a bye past the wildcard round that has vexed the organization. The team has gone winless in its last three straight best-of-three play-in series appearances (2020, 2022 and 2023). Statistically speaking, the Jays' best season ever came in 1985 when an all-star lineup featuring the likes of George Bell, Jesse Barfield and Dave Stieb finished atop the division with a 99-62 record, good for a .615 winning percentage. (Only the St. Louis Cardinals were better at 101-61, or .623) At the end of the 1985 season, a rained-out game wasn't made up because it would have no implications on the standings or playoff picture. That means if the 2025 squad can go 41-20 in their remaining 61, they'll finish 100-62 with a .617 winning percentage. Only the players, coaches and management can make it happen, but their body of work over the last two and a half months following a sluggish start to the season certainly makes it seem like it's possible. It's worth noting here that the Jays' 55 wins before the All-Star Game this year eclipsed the record set by the 1985 crew and matched that of the first World Series lineup. They also hit 50 wins in their 88th game, something else that hasn't happened since 1992. How they got here Heading into May, the team was playing sub .500 ball and languished in the standings, falling eight games behind the Yankees at one point. By month's end, however, the bats had come alive and the Jays climbed to just above .500. In June, they played just as well, if not better, and, as July approached, the Jays found themselves within striking distance of top spot in the AL East. They clinched it and haven't looked back since sweeping the Yankees in a four-game set at Rogers Centre to start the month. The team is 43-21 since May 8, and 29-14 since the start of June, a record second only to the Milwaukee Brewers, who are currently tied with the Chicago Cubs for first in the National League Central division and best record in baseball. Those Rogers Centre crowds... Different 💙🇨🇦 #lightsupletsgo It's certainly helped that the Yankees have struggled since June 1, posting a 21-23 record. Toronto, a dominant 13-4 thus far in July, has eight games remaining in the month after they wrap things up with New York on Wednesday night — a crucial four-game series against the central division-leading Detroit Tigers and a trip to Maryland for four with the AL East bottom-dwelling Baltimore Orioles. If the Jays can hang on to the AL East lead for the rest of the year, it'll be the first time they've won the division since 2015. Who got them here Outside of the obvious All-Star and veteran talent, on paper, this wasn't a lineup that was expected to be this good. But from one end of the clubhouse to another, pitching to batting, just about everyone has meaningfully contributed to the surprising success so far. Veteran George Springer, who despite being among the squad's elder statesmen at 35, has always had the enthusiastic zeal of a much younger player, is now putting up numbers to match. Undoubtedly the team's MVP so far, the rightfielder leads the team in home runs (17) and on-base plus slugging percentage (.874) and was the hottest hitter through June and July. After a couple of middling seasons, shortstop Bo Bichette and catcher Alejandro Kirk have found consistency at the plate. The former leads the AL in doubles while the Mexican-born backstop has a team-best .304 batting average and a paltry 33 strikeouts in 303 at-bats. Addison Barger, called up from Triple-A Buffalo in mid-April, has settled into the majors nicely and become the most serendipitous bright spot for the Jays. The 25-year-old utility player — who looks very comfortable on third base — is second in dingers (14) and leads the club in slugging (.517) among active players. As for the face of the franchise, Vladimir Guerrero, who inked a 14-year $500-million contract extension just as the season began, the All-Star first baseman is putting up solid numbers — he's second in hits (104) and leads the team in runs (62) — but his home run and RBI production is short of where it's been over his career. Should he find more consistency at the dish, there's no telling how it could impact the club's fortunes. Meantime, players like Ernie Clement, Nathan Lukes, Will Wagner, Myles Straw, Tyler Heineman and, at times, Davis Schneider, have provided timely hitting and defence in the absence of Gold Glove centrefielder Daulton Varsho and $92-million newcomer Antony Santander, both out with injuries. Collectively, the team leads the majors with a .260 team batting average and the fewest strikeouts (671). On the rubber, the team ERA (4.10) could use improvement, but the core trio of Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios and Chris Bassit have been consistently improving as the season goes on, aided by a bullpen that's seen a lot of action. Manager John Schneider doesn't tend to let his starters go deep into games. As for Max Scherzer, who signed a one-year deal for $15.5 million, the three-time Cy Young winner is just getting going, having returned from an injury suffered in his Blue Jays debut in March. The 41-year-old hurler was tough on himself after surrendering four runs to the Yankees on Monday. 'I put them in a tough spot by giving up four runs, but the rest of the team did their job,' said Scherzer, per the Associated Press. 'Guys are out there fighting. 'We're a great team. They're a great team. These are fun series to be in. You just want to be out there helping your team win more.' The series continues Wednesday night, 7:07, before what's expected to be another 40,000-plus fans in Toronto. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .


Edmonton Journal
2 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Blue Jays dominance could result in best regular season in team's history
After several years of witnessing MLB mediocrity, casual and diehard Toronto Blue Jays fans are being rewarded with a reason to watch and cheer for Canada's only baseball team. Article content Depending on how this week's games play out — theirs and others — the Jays, already leading the American League East division with a 59-42 record, could find themselves in possession of the top record in baseball. Article content Article content Article content And while a franchise-best 11-game home game winning streak ended with a 5-4 ninth-inning loss to the second-place New York Yankees Tuesday night, there's a lot of baseball left to play. Article content But even if they don't finish as MLB's top overall team — a feat never accomplished by any Jays team — if they keep playing this brand of baseball, they could produce one of the best regular seasons in the organization's 49-year history and a possible rival to those that led to back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. Article content Finishing as one of the top two teams in the American League (AL), meanwhile, would still be a major boon as it would grant the team a bye past the wildcard round that has vexed the organization. The team has gone winless in its last three straight best-of-three play-in series appearances (2020, 2022 and 2023). Article content Article content Statistically speaking, the Jays' best season ever came in 1985 when an all-star lineup featuring the likes of George Bell, Jesse Barfield and Dave Stieb finished atop the division with a 99-62 record, good for a .615 winning percentage. (Only the St. Louis Cardinals were better at 101-61, or .623) Article content Article content At the end of the 1985 season, a rained-out game wasn't made up because it would have no implications on the standings or playoff picture. That means if the 2025 squad can go 41-20 in their remaining 61, they'll finish 100-62 with a .617 winning percentage. Article content Article content Only the players, coaches and management can make it happen, but their body of work over the last two and a half months following a sluggish start to the season certainly makes it seem like it's possible. Article content It's worth noting here that the Jays' 55 wins before the All-Star Game this year eclipsed the record set by the 1985 crew and matched that of the first World Series lineup. They also hit 50 wins in their 88th game, something else that hasn't happened since 1992. Article content Heading into May, the team was playing sub .500 ball and languished in the standings, falling eight games behind the Yankees at one point. By month's end, however, the bats had come alive and the Jays climbed to just above .500. Article content In June, they played just as well, if not better, and, as July approached, the Jays found themselves within striking distance of top spot in the AL East. Article content They clinched it and haven't looked back since sweeping the Yankees in a four-game set at Rogers Centre to start the month. Article content The team is 43-21 since May 8, and 29-14 since the start of June, a record second only to the Milwaukee Brewers, who are currently tied with the Chicago Cubs for first in the National League Central division and best record in baseball.


National Post
2 hours ago
- National Post
Blue Jays dominance could result in best regular season in team's history
Article content Those Rogers Centre crowds... Different 💙🇨🇦 #lightsupletsgo — Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 22, 2025 Article content It's certainly helped that the Yankees have struggled since June 1, posting a 21-23 record. Article content Toronto, a dominant 13-4 thus far in July, has eight games remaining in the month after they wrap things up with New York on Wednesday night — a crucial four-game series against the central division-leading Detroit Tigers and a trip to Maryland for four with the AL East bottom-dwelling Baltimore Orioles. Article content If the Jays can hang on to the AL East lead for the rest of the year, it'll be the first time they've won the division since 2015. Article content Who got them here Article content Outside of the obvious All-Star and veteran talent, on paper, this wasn't a lineup that was expected to be this good. Article content But from one end of the clubhouse to another, pitching to batting, just about everyone has meaningfully contributed to the surprising success so far. Article content Veteran George Springer, who despite being among the squad's elder statesmen at 35, has always had the enthusiastic zeal of a much younger player, is now putting up numbers to match. Undoubtedly the team's MVP so far, the rightfielder leads the team in home runs (17) and on-base plus slugging percentage (.874) and was the hottest hitter through June and July. Article content Article content After a couple of middling seasons, shortstop Bo Bichette and catcher Alejandro Kirk have found consistency at the plate. The former leads the AL in doubles while the Mexican-born backstop has a team-best .304 batting average and a paltry 33 strikeouts in 303 at-bats. Article content Article content Addison Barger, called up from Triple-A Buffalo in mid-April, has settled into the majors nicely and become the most serendipitous bright spot for the Jays. The 25-year-old utility player — who looks very comfortable on third base — is second in dingers (14) and leads the club in slugging (.517) among active players. Article content As for the face of the franchise, Vladimir Guerrero, who inked a 14-year $500-million contract extension just as the season began, the All-Star first baseman is putting up solid numbers — he's second in hits (104) and leads the team in runs (62) — but his home run and RBI production is short of where it's been over his career. Article content Should he find more consistency at the dish, there's no telling how it could impact the club's fortunes. Article content Article content Meantime, players like Ernie Clement, Nathan Lukes, Will Wagner, Myles Straw, Tyler Heineman and, at times, Davis Schneider, have provided timely hitting and defence in the absence of Gold Glove centrefielder Daulton Varsho and $92-million newcomer Antony Santander, both out with injuries. Article content Collectively, the team leads the majors with a .260 team batting average and the fewest strikeouts (671). Article content On the rubber, the team ERA (4.10) could use improvement, but the core trio of Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios and Chris Bassit have been consistently improving as the season goes on, aided by a bullpen that's seen a lot of action. Manager John Schneider doesn't tend to let his starters go deep into games. Article content Article content As for Max Scherzer, who signed a one-year deal for $15.5 million, the three-time Cy Young winner is just getting going, having returned from an injury suffered in his Blue Jays debut in March. The 41-year-old hurler was tough on himself after surrendering four runs to the Yankees on Monday.