The Red Sox Pre-Cap Podcast: Recapping Cleveland, Previewing The Rays

Welcome back to another episode of The Pre-Cap Podcast, your spot on the OTM Podcast Network to hear the latest from every series as well as a preview of whatever is next on the Red Sox docket. In today’s show, we look back at the weekend in Cleveland while also taking a look forward to this week’s big four-game set down in Tampa.

The Red Sox bullpen let them down in game three as the Sox were looking for a sweep, but they still managed a series win, their third in a row and fourth in their last five. On Friday night in the opener, Eduardo Rodriguez got the start and did not have his best stuff. Still, the southpaw was able to go seven innings innings, though he surrendered eight hits and only struck out two. But all in all, he only allowed three runs. It was enough to keep the Red Sox in the game and turn it over to the bullpen where Garrett Richards threw a clean inning and Adam Ottavino followed for his ninth save of the season after Jonathan Araúz launched a three-run homer to give the Sox the lead in the 8th.

Moving on to Saturday’s tilt, Nathan Eovaldi pitched well, keeping his string of solid starts going with 5 ¹⁄₃ innings in which he allowed two runs while striking out seven with no walks. The damage from the Red Sox came on two swings. Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run shot in the first inning, and then in the top of the tenth J.D. Martinez knocked a three-run bomb. Ottavino quickly relieved Martín Pérez in the bottom of the tenth after the latter walked a batter and allowed a run. Ottavino recorded his tenth save of the season.

Finally, in the finale, the Red Sox were cruising for the first five innings string, taking a 4-0 lead while Tanner Houck took a no-hitter into the 6th. That's where the wheels fell off, however, and after a homer and a couple hit batters Cleveland pushed across three runs, then added another run of Hansel Robles in the seventh and three more off Austin Davis in the 8th. Ultimately, the Red Sox were sunk 7-5, and Cleveland avoided the sweep.

Up next for the Red Sox is a big four-game set on the road against the Rays. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Over the Monster Podcast Network so you never miss an episode.