On Friday, the Boston Red Sox opened up a series with the Tampa Bay Rays in Florida.
They won by a score of 4-2.
The two teams will continue action on Saturday afternoon.
Gabrielle Starr of The Boston Herald wrote: “Red Sox take the series opener 4-2, despite issuing 9 walks, one shy of their season high. They are 84-70, and if the Rangers can hang on to beat the Blue Jays, the magic number will be ONE.”
Red Sox Announce Aroldis Chapman Update
Also on Friday, the Red Sox announced an update on Aroldis Chapman.
MLB.com wrote (on September 18): “Closer said he won’t pitch this weekend but should return for the final homestand, which starts on Sept. 22”
Chapman last pitched in a game on September 13.
He is in the middle of his second season with the Red Sox.
Right now, Chapman is 3-4 with a 1.95 ERA in 52 games (with 34 saves).
Looking At Chapman
Chapman is in the middle of his 17th season at the MLB level.
The nine-time MLB All-Star has also had stops with the New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs.
He has a 2.49 ERA (with 401 saves) in 915 games.
Looking At The Red Sox Right Now
The Red Sox are the third-place team in the American League East with an 84-70 record in 154 games.
They have gone 5-5 over their last ten games (and are 46-33 in 79 games on the road).
Following two more games with the Rays, the Red Sox will host the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night.
Ian Browne of MLB.com wrote: “Just got the official word from MLB Research regarding today’s Red Sox scenario. In simplest terms: The Boston Red Sox can clinch a Postseason berth today with a win at Tampa Bay AND a loss by either the Rangers vs. Toronto or the Astros vs. Atlanta. Either way, if the Sox win today, both those other games are three hours later, so it would have to be a delayed celebration.”
Boston Red Sox Announce Aroldis Chapman Update During Rays Series