Jul 5, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) celebrates rounding the bases after Boston Red Sox left fielder Hanley Ramirez (13) hit a two-run home run as Houston Astros shortstop Marwin Gonzalez (9) walks away during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Predictions:
- Game One Winner: Boston Red Sox
- Game Two Winner: Boston Red Sox
Final Thoughts
The Red Sox catch another break on the injury front (the Astros dynamic George Springer was also injured on a hit by pitch) in this series. Stanton will not be in the lineup for this two game set. Miley will be facing a much weaker offense than Toronto in a Miami club that is 26th in the majors in runs scored. The Red Sox have taken three straight series against contending teams, so their confidence should be at a high point for the season.
The hope is that the team will not look past the Marlins to the Yankee series this weekend. Though the team needs an extended winning streak to get them past the .500 mark, winning each series will help accomplish that goal in the long run. Beating up on a sub-par team like the Marlins, and avoiding elite starter Jose Fernandez, whom the team is giving an extra day off after his first start returning from Tommy John surgery, is what the team needs to do to keep the ball rolling.
While Haren is a veteran, he has not had a lot of success in Fenway and has not won over his last five starts in which he hasn’t gotten run support. Koehler is a young pitcher who has never pitched in Fenway before, so they have a good chance to work the counts and get him rattled to get the offense clicking on all cylinders. The Red Sox need to take care of business against a losing team, remembering the Marlins’ -39 run differential is still better than their own of -43.
The prediction here is a sweep of this quick two game set.