Abreu isn't a hitter that walks much and I don't trust the Red Sox offense as much without Devers in there. So we'll take the total bases, as Abreu has multiple hits in each of his first two games back from a 12 day IL stint. He pinch hit yesterday late in the game, after having the day off, so he should be fresh tonight. He faces Jack Kochanowicz and lefties have hit 12 of the 15 home runs he's given up this year, with a .305 average. I'm betting on Abreu to go for at least an extra base hit, if not multiple hits.
Walker Buehler has been dreadful lately and he's also particularly bad on the road. Kochanowicz has also been bad for most of the season, but he's improved over the last couple of starts and I expect him to limit the damage against a watered down Red Sox lineup in the midst of a west coast road trip. Not interested in messing with the Red Sox bullpen as I want to isolate Buehler in this one in the First 5.
Working with pitching coach Barry Enright, Angels' 24-year-old starter Jack Kochanowicz has tweaked the grip on his changeup and the results are evident. He fanned eight Yankees last time out, in 5.1 innings. On Monday he faces a Red Sox team that strikes out at the third-highest rate. In addition, Boston averages an MLB-high 10.18 strikeouts on the road after fanning 11 times at San Francisco on Sunday. I grabbed the plus-money on Kochanowicz to rack up at least five strikeouts.
Urena allowed three runs on five hits and five walks while striking out three over 3.2 innings in Tuesday's 8-6 extra-inning loss to Cleveland. He didn't factor into the decision.
Grissom went 2-for-5 with two home runs and three total RBI in Tuesday's 8-6 extra-inning loss to the Guardians.
Anthony (finger) went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday.
Duran went 1-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in Tuesday's 7-3 win over the Marlins.
Weiman (0-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk over one inning in Tuesday's 8-6 extra-inning loss to the Guardians.
Campero was removed from Tuesday's game against the Guardians with an apparent hamstring injury, Jack Janes of TheSportingTribune.com reports.
Anthony (finger) said Tuesday that he could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list Friday against the Yankees, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Natera (back) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Interim manager Chad Tracy said that Rutschman will sit out Tuesday's game against Miami due to right elbow irritation, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Anthony (finger) said Tuesday that he could be ready to return from the 60-day injured list Friday against the Yankees, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
