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Red Sox Face Three Fascinating Pitching Matchups In Pirates Series
Red Sox Face Three Fascinating Pitching Matchups In Pirates Series originally appeared on NESN .
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The Boston Red Sox finally stopped the bleeding Thursday. Now, they have an opportunity to turn one encouraging afternoon into a productive weekend. Boston snapped its five-game losing streak with a commanding 7-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, salvaging the finale of a four-game series. Payton Tolle delivered eight scoreless innings, while Caleb Durbin broke the game open with a grand slam.
The victory sent the Red Sox to Pittsburgh with some renewed confidence and a 65-56 record. They will play three games against the Pirates at PNC Park before returning home Monday to begin a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Each game in Pittsburgh will feature an intriguing starting pitching matchup. Jake Bennett gets the opener, Sonny Gray takes the ball Saturday and Patrick Sandoval will oppose Paul Skenes in Sunday’s marquee finale.
Friday: Jake Bennett Vs. Bubba Chandler
Friday’s opener begins at 6:40 p.m. ET and will air on NESN. Bennett has become one of Boston’s most dependable starters during his first major league season. The 6-foot-6 left-hander does not overpower opponents with enormous strikeout totals, but he consistently fills the strike zone and limits damaging contact.
Through his first 11 major league appearances, Bennett had recorded a 6-4 record and 2.74 ERA. He allowed only five home runs and issued 11 walks over 65 2/3 innings during that stretch. Those numbers highlight Bennett’s greatest strength. He rarely creates unnecessary trouble for himself.
That approach will be important against a Pittsburgh lineup coming off an offensive eruption. The Pirates scored 13 runs in Thursday’s victory over the Miami Marlins, with Rafael Flores Jr. hitting two three-run home runs.
Pittsburgh will counter with Bubba Chandler, one of the most talented young pitchers in baseball.
Chandler’s results have been inconsistent, but his upside remains significant. He offered a reminder of that potential in his most recent start, throwing six scoreless innings in a 9-0 victory over the New York Mets. The right-hander allowed only three hits and struck out five.
Boston’s hitters cannot afford to let Chandler settle into a rhythm. Working deep counts and forcing him to throw strikes could be the best way to create opportunities early.
Saturday: Sonny Gray Vs. Jared Jones
Saturday’s game is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET, with national coverage on FOX. NESN also lists the game as part of its weekend coverage. The Red Sox should feel particularly confident about their chances whenever Gray takes the mound.
Gray entered the latter portion of the season among the major league leaders in victories. The veteran right-hander went 12-2 with a 2.78 ERA over his first 19 starts, providing stability at the front of Boston’s rotation.
His success has been especially important during an uneven season for the Red Sox. Gray has consistently given Boston a chance to win while keeping opponents from producing big innings.
The 36-year-old combines experience with an ability to change speeds and attack hitters from multiple angles. He also has postseason experience, which becomes increasingly valuable as Boston moves deeper into a playoff race.
Jared Jones will start for Pittsburgh. Jones possesses an electric fastball and swing-and-miss arsenal, but injuries and inconsistency have prevented him from establishing the dependable rhythm Pittsburgh envisioned. When his command is sharp, however, he can be extremely difficult to handle.
The matchup presents an important test for Boston’s offense. Jones can generate strikeouts, so the Red Sox must avoid expanding the zone and giving away at-bats.
Gray gives Boston a clear opportunity to control the game. The offense’s responsibility will be providing him enough support.
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Sunday: Patrick Sandoval Vs. Paul Skenes
The most recognizable matchup of the weekend will arrive Sunday at 1:35 p.m. ET on NESN. Sandoval will make another start as he continues establishing himself in Boston’s rotation following a lengthy recovery from elbow surgery.
The left-hander recorded a 3.32 ERA with 20 strikeouts over his first four starts of the season. He allowed 24 hits over 19 innings, but his command and strikeout production offered encouraging signs. Boston does not necessarily need Sandoval to dominate. Five competitive innings could be enough, particularly if the lineup can make Skenes work on the other side.
Skenes remains one of baseball’s biggest names, but his 2026 season has produced unexpected concerns. The former National League Cy Young Award winner has experienced a noticeable decline in effectiveness and fastball velocity. Skenes posted a 5.47 ERA over his previous 10 starts, while Pittsburgh lost 13 of the last 16 games he started.
His fastball, once famous for regularly reaching triple digits, has not displayed the same life. That does not make Skenes an easy matchup, though. His complete arsenal and ability to miss bats still make him dangerous whenever he takes the mound.
The Red Sox should expect Pittsburgh’s ace to treat Sunday’s appearance as an opportunity to reverse the conversation surrounding his season.
Red Sox Need To Carry Thursday’s Momentum Forward
Boston’s victory over Toronto ended an alarming five-game slide, but one strong performance cannot erase the offensive problems that surfaced during the losing streak. The Red Sox scored only four total runs over the first three games of the Blue Jays series. Their lineup finally broke through Thursday, scoring six times over the final two innings to turn a close game into a rout.
Durbin finished with three hits and five RBIs, while Tolle retired the final 17 batters he faced. The performance was exactly what Boston needed before traveling to Pittsburgh...
The Red SoxPittsburghAdd NESNPreferred SourceThe Boston Red SoxNowBostonToronto Blue JaysPayton TolleCaleb DurbinRed SoxPirates
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