2026 Red Sox/MLB Season Thread

[Vermont Green]

Sox starters are only ranked 5th best in the AL for the season, based on ERA.  They are behind NYY, TBR, and CLE (likely playoff opponents).  Not having Crochet all season is an impact.  And he had some bad games before they shut him down, not helping the team ranking.

I have been saying this for while, it is tough to see the Sox as a true World Series contender without Crochet, or even with him only pitching 2 innings.  They have the cushion to get guys rested, which is a big plus.  That is why Gray isn't pitching tonight.  This would be the 6th day for him but they are skipping him.  And I am sure Tolle and Bennett will be innings managed down the stretch.

[BitterJim]

Tyron Guerrero to the 15 day IL, Olds gets promoted back to the team to fill the slot. I'm glad to have him back, but not at the cost of Guerrero. If it's a minor injury and this is more for rest, though, then that's a good thing, we've been leaning on Guerrero a lot.

In another pitching move, Jedixson Paez was promoted from AAA as the Sep 1st call up and will start tonight. Apparently he's more of a control pitcher, not a great fastball but some good secondaries and great control. He's done well in AA and AAA this year, but struggled in 3 IP in the MLB with the White Sox in April. Hopefully that was just part of his development and not a sign if things to come. On an interesting note roster-wise, Paez was a prospect in the Red Sox system, then got selected by the White Sox in the 2025 Rule 5 Draft. The White Sox cut him from their active roster in April, though, so he defaulted back to the Red Sox.

[BitterJim]

Tyron Guerrero to the 15 day IL, Olds gets promoted back to the team to fill the slot. I'm glad to have him back, but not at the cost of Guerrero. If it's a minor injury and this is more for rest, though, then that's a good thing, we've been leaning on Guerrero a lot.

In another pitching move, Jedixson Paez was promoted from AAA as the Sep 1st call up and will start tonight. Apparently he's more of a control pitcher, not a great fastball but some good secondaries and great control. He's done well in AA and AAA this year, but struggled in 3 IP in the MLB with the White Sox in April. Hopefully that was just part of his development and not a sign if things to come. On an interesting note roster-wise, Paez was a prospect in the Red Sox system, then got selected by the White Sox in the 2025 Rule 5 Draft. The White Sox cut him from their active roster in April, though, so he defaulted back to the Red Sox.

It was a sign of things to come. 8 runs over 3.2 innings actually managed to raise his 18.00 MLB ERA to 18.90. Luckily Olds was able to go 2.1 innings, and Gamboa 2 more, so we didn't blow through all of our relievers, but you want better than that from a AAA callup