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COMMENTARY
I apologize about the Red Sox’s 2-4 record at the end of their most recent road trip.
All they wanted to do was remind the Fenway supporters of the real impact they had.
With Saturday’s 7-5 victory against the Miami Marlins, Boston has now won 16 of its previous 18 home games. This season, the Red Sox (68-56) are 41-22 at home and 27-34 away from home.
In the long run, they will probably need to improve their road performance if they want to go far in the playoffs. For the time being, they should be able to get where they want to go only by humming at home.
They are brought home by Masa!image.twitter.com/k4nzJYStyU
The game on Saturday sold out Fenway Park for the thirteenth time in a row, the longest run since they sold out 32 games in a row in 2018. As the Red Sox get closer to earning their first postseason spot since 2021, the energy is back in Boston.
Roman Anthony, a rookie, remarked, “It’s unbelievable to show up to his park every day, the fans, and how behind us the city is.” It’s simply a unique location to visit each day. That energy is what we eat.
Here are five lessons learned from another victory:
Banking on Bello
Brayan Bello, a right-hander for the Red Sox, established a rhythm early on and never gave up in a solid all-around performance.
Bello appeared at ease in a 10-pitch first inning (6 1/3 inning, 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 strikeouts, 0 walks, 78 pitches, 52 strikes), and he seemed to ease up even more when the Red Sox provided him with plenty of run support. Later in the game, he let up two single home runs, but each time he was able to limit the damage with a seventh-inning assist from reliever Justin Wilson.
He has now allowed three runs or fewer in 20 of his 22 appearances this season and has earned a strong start in 11 of his previous 13 games.
Bello bump day was successful.tweet.com/pm7AArFBSd
Don’t take that for granted, Red Sox supporters. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Bello’s ERA was 4.71, 4.24, and 4.49, respectively. That figure has significantly decreased to 3.23 this year.
Through a translator, Bello stated, “I think the key has been throwing strikes, trying to get ahead of batters, and getting quick outs.”
His outstanding ground ball rate of 49.6, which placed him in the 81st percentile going into Saturday, is a major factor in the improvement. In such manner, he recorded 10 outs against the Marlins.
Bello (9-6) has now given up one or zero runs in three of his last four appearances after recovering from a rare lackluster showing against the Padres. Garrett Crochet has been perfectly complimented by him and Lucas Giolito, who together make up a solid 1-2-3 that is designed for October.
Story time
On Saturday, Trevor Story extended his recent run of success with a two-hit day after leading the Red Sox to a 2-1 victory the previous evening with a walk-off single to right.
His spectacular three-run drive to left in the third inning, which plated Anthony and Jarren Duran, was the high point.
The Story Weekend!vkVTJpUCYd pic.twitter.com/
When Story hits a home run this season, Boston is now 17-1. That sample size is sufficient to give the impression that it is not a coincidence. His enthusiasm and output are vital to the Red Sox, and having a pop in the middle of the lineup makes a big difference.
After the past few years, it’s definitely satisfying to be able to raise the bar that I’ve set for myself throughout my career, Story said. We signed with Boston with this aim in mind. It all comes down to playing games like these.
Since caught stealing was first recorded in 1920, Story’s franchise record of consecutive steals has now reached 22. He also took second place. Additionally, he made a deft play at shortstop, elevating to his right, throwing to first for a spectacular out.
“I am incredibly proud,” manager Alex Cora remarked. For us, he has been fantastic.
Double the fun
Against Marlins starter Cal Quantrill, the Red Sox, who started the day atop MLB in doubles (251), added three more.
In the third, Anthony doubled to center, and Duran followed up with a double of his own to plate both him and Alex Bregman. In the following inning, Ceddanne Rafaela doubled and scored on a Bregman single to make it 7-0.
According to Anthony, we emphasize the need to exert as much pressure as possible on the defense. We talk about it a lot before games, aiming to extend the 90 minutes and put a lot of pressure on opposing teams. In this manner, teams know that we will think outside the box when they come in here.
Boston also led MLB with 420 extra-base hits at the start of the day and added four more on Saturday.
The lineup has been quite consistent overall. Three players recorded multiple hits on Saturday, while six players recorded a hit.
Use the Stitch bat to knock first!qjvdqrXDMw pic.twitter.com/
Dicey at the end
It seemed to be merely a formality as Isaiah Campbell came in with a 7-2 advantage. Rather, the Marlins sent the tying run to the plate with two outs and promptly scored three runs.
Aroldis Chapman came in and used a grounder to short to complete the task. The Red Sox are lucky to have Chapman as a dominant force when they need him most. The bullpen has been sharp at times and faltered in spurts.
This season, he is at 22 for 24 in save attempts.
According to Cora, it did happen. There, we needed him. Both the game and the series were won by us.
Green and yellow
With Friday s win, the Red Sox moved to 5-3 in the Fenway Greens, with all five victories coming in walk-off fashion.
After Saturday s win, Boston is now 43-17 all-time in the yellow City Connect jerseys, including 8-3 in 2025.
Make of that what you will, but when they sport green or yellow at home, there s a strong chance they re going to win.
“It’s incredible,” Anthony added. There s no other type of baseball I d rather be playing right now, the winning, and the baseball that we re trying to make the playoffs here and win the division.
In addition to writing and editing articles about Boston’s professional teams, Trevor Hass works as a sports producer for Boston.com.
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