Series Notes
- Mookie Betts has 50 RBI so far this season, most among lead-off hitters and fifth most overall in the American League. This puts him on a pace for 119 RBI for the season. No major league hitter has recorded 100 RBI from the lead-off spot since Darin Erstad became the first to do it in 2000.
- Brock Holt (concussion) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment in Pawtucket Monday night. He’ll be limited to 5 innings in the first game and 7 innings on Tuesday before an off day on Wednesday. Holt will then play a full 9 innings on Thursday before being reevaluated. If all goes well by that point, he could rejoin the Red Sox lineup by this weekend.
- Rusney Castillo cleared waivers, was outrighted off the major league roster and sent to Pawtucket. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster and provides a bit more financial flexibility, as his burdensome contract no longer counts toward the luxury tax.
- The Red Sox may still trail the Orioles by a game in the standings, but their +83 run differential leads the league by a mile. The next closest team in the AL is the Seattle Mariners at +54 and the only team in the majors with a better run differential is the Chicago Cubs at a staggering +171.
- Chicago’s sputtering offense has been a primary factor in the team’s drop in the standings. The White Sox rank 12th in the league with 279 runs scored, 13th in batting average (.243) and next to last in both OPS (.698) and home runs (62).
Next: Key Hitters