BOSTON – Ahead of their longest streak of the 2024 season, the Red Sox have reshuffled their starting pitchers.
Because the Red Sox and Blue Jays will resume their suspended June 26 game the way they left it (in the second inning) on Monday at 2:05 p.m. ET, the clubs will effectively play a doubleheader, with the regularly scheduled game set for 7:10 p.m. ET. According to the team, Nick Pivetta will pitch when the suspended game resumes, and the starter for Game 2 is yet to be announced. Pivetta was originally scheduled to start Game 2.
The Red Sox also announced their starter for Tuesday (tbd). Cooper Criswell was originally scheduled to start. The club will then turn to Brayan Bello on Wednesday and Kutter Crawford on Thursday to finish the series; Tanner Houck is scheduled to throw the first game of the series in Detroit on Friday night.
The switch was made in part because Pivetta was expected to pitch in Game 1, but also because Criswell offers a little more flexibility. The right-hander, who threw 80 pitches in 4⅔ strong innings in Houston on Wednesday, would be fully rested for Game 2; if he pitches, the Red Sox will need someone else on Tuesday. Quinn Priester, who plays in Worcester and is on the 40-man roster, could pitch if the Red Sox need a starter from Triple-A. A major league source said it’s unlikely that a top Triple-A talent like Richard Fitts will start Game 2 on Monday.
The club can add a 27th player – likely a pitcher – to the roster for the second game on Monday.
The Blue Jays are expected to use José Berríos on Monday, either as the first option in the suspended game or as the starter in the second game. Right-hander Yariel Rodríguez is scheduled for Tuesday.
The Red Sox enter the series against the Blue Jays with a record of 67-62.
