The Boston Red Sox, riding a wave of recent success, will face the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night in a key interleague matchup at Citizens Bank Park. The two teams enter the series with contrasting momentum.
Boston (54-47), currently third in the American League East, has won eight of its last 10 games, including a 6-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Conversely, the National League East-leading Phillies (56-43) have dropped six of their last 10 contests and are coming off an 8-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
The game will feature a notable pitching duel. Philadelphia is expected to start ace right-hander Zack Wheeler, who holds a 9-3 record with an impressive 2.36 ERA. Across 19 starts, Wheeler has recorded 154 strikeouts in 122 innings. He received a no-decision in his last outing against San Diego after allowing four earned runs over six innings.
The Red Sox will counter with right-hander Walker Buehler (6-6, 6.12 ERA). In 16 starts this season, Buehler has pitched 78 innings, striking out 63 batters. He is also coming off a no-decision in his most recent start against the Tampa Bay Rays, where he allowed three earned runs in six innings.
Offensively, the Phillies will look to shortstop Trea Turner to spark their lineup. Turner is hitting .288 with 11 home runs, 41 RBI, and 25 stolen bases this season, and he enters Monday’s game on a three-game hitting streak. For Boston, left fielder Jarren Duran has been a dynamic force, batting .257 with 25 doubles, a league-leading 10 triples, eight homers, and 50 RBI.
Source link