Red Sox fans can breathe a sigh of relief, as Mookie Betts is back in the lineup and right field Monday night against the Tigers.
The Red Sox are certainly happy to have their right fielder back. But they'd very much rather not have the same Drew Pomeranz who pitched last week back as well. Or at least not the one who showed up for that horrific fourth inning. The good news for him is that his debut disaster didn't cost the Red Sox the win thanks to a huge night from the offense, and his 2.81 ERA is all the evidence you need that this sort of game can happen in the best of seasons to the best of pitchers.
No, I'm not saying Drew Pomeranz is the best of pitchers. I am saying he's quite good, and a damn sight better than we saw on that night. He just needs to show up and prove it tonight before everyone starts getting panicky again.
First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. ET with broadcasts on NESN, WEEI, and ESPN.