Guardians 4, Red Sox 3

 

So how did that jack-assy strategy of putting in a reliever to start the first inning for Bello work out yesterday? Well, the reliever, Tyler Samaniego, gave up four runs on six hits in the first inning and cost us the game, while Bello shut out Cleveland over seven innings, striking out three and giving up only four hits. 

I don't know, what say we use our starting pitchers to start games and our relievers for relief when necessary, and stop this cutesy bullshit  of putting in a reliever as a "short starter" for the first inning of games? Just spitting out ideas here, but what do I know - I'm not managing a .411 ball team.

The Sox got a little bit of offence going in the fifth inning, getting three runs on a Mayer single, a Durbin double, and a Duran sac fly, but that was all we got. We're now an unlucky 13 games back from first place.

This afternoon, Sonny Gray (5-1, 3.27) will see what he can do for the Sox against Cleveland. Gray had a career 95 strikeouts against Cleveland in 103 innings, his third highest count against any other team. In his last game against the Guardians, a masterful performance for St. Louis back on June 27 of last year, he struck out 11, went the full nine innings, and was but one single short of a no-hitter.

He'll be up against The Guardian's Parker Messick (6-1. 2.24). He's only faced the Sox once before, striking out two but giving up three runs on nine hits in a short start in Fenway back on September 1 of last year. 

If past performance is any indicator of future results, this matchup is favorable for Boston and we've got a chance. Carpe diem, motherfuckers! Let's beat these guys!