Dodgers Roll In, Breslow Whiffs, and Fenway Holds Its Breath
Reset at Fenway
No game yesterday. No drama. Just a quiet Fenway Park and a fanbase waiting for the Dodgers to arrive like it’s the opening scene of a Western. The Red Sox, sitting at 55-49, are clinging to the final AL Wild Card spot. They’ve won six of their last ten and are 32-20 at home — a stat that suddenly matters with Los Angeles rolling in for a three-game interleague showdown.
The Dodgers are 60-43 and lead the NL West, but they’ve been wobbling through July like a toddler on skates. They’ve dropped six of their last ten and are fresh off a series loss to the Brewers. If Boston wants to make a statement, this is the weekend to do it.
Dodgers Series Preview: Star Power vs. Grit
Tonight’s matchup features Brayan Bello (6-4, 3.23 ERA) against Emmet Sheehan (1-1, 4.41 ERA). Bello has quietly become Boston’s second most reliable starter, going at least five innings in ten straight outings. Sheehan, meanwhile, gave up five earned runs in three innings his last time out. Advantage: Bello, if he keeps the ball down.
The Dodgers lineup is a nightmare on paper: Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith. But they’ve looked mortal lately. Betts is hitting .238 and hasn’t homered since July 10. Ohtani is still dangerous — five homers in his last five games — but he won’t pitch this series as he continues ramping up from Tommy John surgery.
Boston’s offense has cooled since the All-Star break, but Wilyer Abreu leads the team with 20 homers, and Trevor Story is having a resurgence season. Expect a Fenway ovation and maybe a confetti cannon if he gets it tonight.
Josh Naylor Off the Board: Breslow’s Blunder
Let’s talk about the trade that didn’t happen. Josh Naylor, the slugging first baseman from Arizona, was dealt to the Mariners yesterday. He’s batting .292 with 11 homers and 59 RBI — exactly the kind of bat Boston needed with Triston Casas out for the year and Abraham Toro turning into a pumpkin.
The return? Two mid-tier pitching prospects. That’s it. Which begs the question: where was Craig Breslow?
Red Sox fans are rightfully furious. Naylor was a perfect fit, and now he’s headed to a team Boston is battling for a playoff spot. The Mariners just got better. Boston just got left behind.
Ryan O’Hearn is now the rumored fallback. He’s a platoon bat with pop against righties, but he’s not Naylor. And with the deadline looming, Breslow’s margin for error is shrinking by the inning.
Injury Updates and Roster Notes
Hunter Dobbins is on the IL with knee pain.
Marcelo Mayer is day-to-day with a wrist issue.
Alex Bregman returned from the IL and has been in and out of the lineup.
The bullpen needs help, although the 3 most reliable arms are Chapman, Whitlock, and Wilson.
What to Watch This Weekend
Brayan Bello vs. Emmet Sheehan tonight.
Shohei Ohtani won’t pitch, but he’s hitting .286 with five homers in his last five games.
Mookie Betts is batting .238 and has looked mortal since the All-Star break.
Wilyer Abreu leads the Sox with 20 home runs.
Can the Sox win this series?
Final Thoughts
This weekend isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about proving the Red Sox belong in the October conversation. The Dodgers are elite, but they’re beatable. Boston is surging, but they’re still flawed. If the Sox take two of three, they’ll solidify their Wild Card grip and maybe — just maybe — start whispering about the division.
But if they get swept? We’ll be back here Monday talking about Ryan O’Hearn and whether Craig Breslow knows how to use a phone.
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