Autumn Dreamin

Stephen Kolek just went on the paternity list (congrats to him), so he won't start tonight. Steven Cruz will open instead. Big 6'7" RHP with a 6+ ERA on the season, but a solid 3 ERA this month. 1-2 inning guy. Kolek's replacement on the roster is RHP Mitch Spence, so he might be the bulk guy tonight? He's made two 4 inning appearances in MLB this season, and given up 6 ER in both (NYY and WSH, so two good offenses). 6+ ERA in 48.2 innings at AAA. Would behoove the Sox to put up a couple crooked numbers on these guys and tax the KC pen for the series. BWJ is playing, but at DH. Probably won't run as much if the knee isn't 100% yet.

Really good read on Will and the staff's approach to openers, bunting, ABS, etc.

The Royals were two outs away from being no hit yesterday before Craig Kimbrel came in for the Rays and allowed a walk and HR. Not sure if that leaves them more motivated or demoralized for this series, but I guess we'll find out. Witt Jr has been on the bench and in a knee brace for the past week, but the hope for KC is that he plays today. Maikel Garcia and Pasquantino are both on the IL. Old friend Josh Rojas is off to a hot start as an injury call up in a small sample size. Despite the injuries and near no-hitter, KC has a .784 OPS as a team this month. Cags and Jensen have both been on fire. KC pitching has struggled more (4.96 team ERA) so hopefully the Sox can take advantage and add to their 5-2 season series lead. Sox saw Kolek back in May and tagged him for a big 5 run inning in a 6-5 win. Meidroth and Romo hit HRs, and Ant tagged a double.

Sosa starting a rehab assignment for Toronto, though I'm not sure they have a roster spot waiting for him. Crochet had his shoulder looked at again and it's "improving" but not to the point where he can start throwing. He does have an "arm injury" clause in his contract, wonder if that includes the shoulder or just the elbow/forearm.

Sandlin will get another shot at patching the gap in the rotation

I would expect him to be an option this season. He only had 5 (mostly rough) starts in Charlotte pre-TJ though, so I don't know when this year turns from making sure he's fully healthy/stretched out to evaluating MLB readiness. Martin didn't spend much time at AAA after his TJ, but he had 100+ MLB innings already.

He was 1-4, but I'm saying it would be good if these are signs of him successfully adjusting to the bigs after the tough stretch last week.

Small but positive Mune update: He's up to full speed work in the cages. The remaining checkpoint is running at full speed (he was reportedly at 80% a couple days ago), then they'll map out his rehab/return.

Yep. I love that they will be a little more concerned the next time Smith takes the mound against us (and the Sox a little more confident).

My guy Mason Adams was solid in AAA rehab start #3. 5 innings 0 runs on 66 pitches. 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K. 40% whiff rate. Looked like he could have gone deeper. 2nd straight 5IP/0R outing.

Given the larger context, I'm annoyed at the loss but not too bothered. Hard to pull off back to back to back clutch wins. Should've had more runs on the board in regulation but BABIP gave them no breaks (xBA finished at .209 vs. .397...) and they didn't make enough of their own. Still took the series and put some fear into the Guards' all star closer for the remaining 10 in the season, fine. CLE could have DeLauter back for next week, so it would be nice if today was the start of Vargas heating up again and/or Braden making an adjustment. Would also looooove a timeline update for Mune. We play KC next while Cleveland plays a tougher team in Seattle. KC will be down Garcia. Witt Jr is not on the IL, but hasn't played in almost a week.

Oh my God

Cade Smith should be available for the Guards, and getting to him twice in a series seems like a tough ask

Fedde's pitching well, can we get some bloop luck now?

Bibee's luck persists

They are seeing Bibee pretty well so far, Beni and Colson both just missed

Wikelman Gonzalez has been moved up to Winston Salem to continue his rehab

Nice gesture