Red Sox Welcome Braves for Series Amid Player Drama

BOSTON, Mass. — The Boston Red Sox return to Fenway Park on Friday to kick off a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves at 7:10 p.m. after a day off. The Red Sox look to rebound from a disappointing 2-4 road trip, capped off by a three-game sweep by the Detroit Tigers.

The series opener features a matchup of left-handed pitchers. Garrett Crochet takes the mound for the Red Sox, having allowed only four runs in his last three starts, including a strong outing in which he pitched seven innings, striking out nine while allowing just one run. The Braves counter with Chris Sale, who is making his first Fenway start since his trade to Atlanta prior to the 2024 season.

“We’re excited to be back at home,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “It’s important for us to find our rhythm, especially with our struggles recently.”

Both teams enter the game with identical records of 22-22 for the Braves and 22-23 for the Red Sox. The Red Sox are debuting their latest City Connect jerseys on Friday, incorporating the iconic Green Monster’s shade of green.

The projected lineups see the Braves with Marcell Ozuna, Matt Olson, and Ronald Acuña Jr. among their hitters, while the Red Sox feature Rafael Devers, Alex Bregman, and Jarren Duran. The teams have their eyes on vital statistics, as the Red Sox have lost eight consecutive one-run games, the most in Major League Baseball.

Statistically, Crochet has had success against the Braves in previous matchups, and Devers remains a key player for the Red Sox, hitting .361 with nine RBIs over the last 10 games. Cora highlighted the importance of getting timely hits in tight games.

“We need to capitalize on runners in scoring position,” Cora stated. “That’s been our Achilles’ heel.”

In addition to the on-field action, there has been notable tension off the field. A recent disagreement between Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and designated hitter Rafael Devers has drawn attention, with team owner John Henry intervening to mediate the situation. The dispute arose after Devers refused a request to switch from DH to first base, stating it was “not an appropriate decision” by the team.

The Red Sox hope to resolve these internal issues and focus on getting a winning streak started against a competitive Braves squad.