The Boston Red Sox today picked up a 5-1 win over the Seattle Mariners to wrap up their series with the Mariners. The one question mark to this team was the starting pitching and they showed up against one of the favorites to win the American League West going 2-1 with a 1.64 ERA. The one question will be can they continue their success it’s a marathon, not a spring so that will be watched closely.
Garrett Whitlock
Whitlock got the start today going five innings giving up one run on three hits; he didn’t walk anyone and struck out eight. Whitlock pitched himself out of jams time and time again, but it was pleasant to see him locate and look as good as he did in his first start of the 2024 season.
Bullpen
The Red Sox following Whitlock went with Greg Weissert, Joely Rodriguez, and Justin Slaten. Weissert went one inning giving up one hit, and no runs; he didn’t walk anyone and struck out one. Rodriguez went 0.2 innings in a redemption appearance and he didn’t allow a run or a hit; he walked one and didn’t strike anyone out. Justin Slaten made the biggest redemption, after being put into a tough spot last night and giving up the walk-off hit Red Sox manager Alex Cora turned to Slaten to secure this game going 2.1 innings, he didn’t allow a run, a hit, or a walk, and he struck out one.
Enmanuel Valdez
Valdez secured the win for the Red Sox today going 1-4 but that one hit was a three-run home run that secured the win for the Red Sox. Despite his rough start, his lone hit of the season was that home run.
Tyler O’Neill
O’Neill if he can stay healthy has proved he can be a force in this lineup. Today was his third game in the lineup and he is hitting .286 with a 1.158 OPS. He hit a home run on Opening Day to extend his streak of a home run on Opening Day which is a record at five straight. Today he hit a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1 and he ended the day going 2-3 with the home run, an RBI, and a walk.
Trevor Story
Story being healthy has made a difference for the Red Sox defensively. After these four games hit bat hasn’t carried over from the Spring but today there were glimpses of what was seen at Fort Myers going 2-4. The two at-bats he didn’t record a hit resulted in a strikeout but he has shown he can perform in this lineup.
Wrap Up
The Red Sox started 2-2 and will return to the diamond tomorrow against the Oakland A’s in the first of three games. The Red Sox will have Tanner Houck making his first start of 2024 going up against Joe Boyle for the Oakland A’s.
