Rafael Devers and Christian Vazquez. (Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- The Red Sox bullpen blew the season-opener, but Boston reeled off wins in 17 of 18 from there, including a 4-and-0 start to a nine-game road trip.
But, after sweeping the Angels, Sox lost two of three to the Athletics.
Last night was a well-deserved off-night, and nearly 20 Red Sox players supported their Boston sports brethren but attending the Bruins game in Toronto. As we know, game didn't go well, but hopefully the Sox players had fun.
Saturday, they were no-hit. Next day, 4-1 loss. That's after averaging six-and-a-half runs their first 19 games.
Tonight, new series begins against the Blue Jays and Alex Cora's confident his arms will be there for the suddenly struggling bats.
"It is gonna happen, they're not going to score 7, 8 runs a night," he said. "But with the pitching staff we have, they will always give them a chance to win the game."
Sox and Jays represent two of the top four offenses in baseball in terms of runs scored. They're also the best two teams in the East. Boston holds a four-game lead. Toronto's fresh off losing three of four in the Bronx.
4-and-0 Rick Porcello and 3-and-1 J.A. Happ will square off in the 7:07 p.m. start. Porcello's pitched 13 straight scoreless innings.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports