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NFL Previews: 1pm Games

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DETROIT – (Wire Service Previews) – The Detroit Lions are at home for a match-up against the New York JETS.

New York Jets (1-1) at Detroit Lions (1-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Lions -6.5, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: The road team has won four consecutive games in this matchup. The Lions defeated the Jets 20-17 in the last meeting in 2022.

Aaron Glenn returns to Detroit with one of the league’s statistical leaders in defense. Glenn coached with Lions head coach Dan Campbell for eight years — four in New Orleans when they both served on Sean Payton’s coaching staff and four as his defensive coordinator with the Lions — and they know each other well. But Glenn insists he’s in the Motor City not for nostalgia but to add to Detroit’s defensive misfortune. They’re allowing more than 35 points per game so far. Lions QB Jared Goff was always quick to tip a cap to Glenn during his time as Detroit’s defensive coordinator. Now that he’s preparing to play Glenn’s defense again, he’s seeing a full team in green taking on the identity of their no-nonsense coach who believes the aggressor usually wins. The Jets haven’t turned the ball over in the first two games of the regular season for the first time in more than 50 years. Last week they had a chance to put the Packers away in regulation and failed to gain traction in overtime. The secondary, in part due to injuries, has been a nightmare for the Lions. That’s not great news with WR Garrett Wilson forming a strong rapport with QB Geno Smith. Goff and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown are clicking, too. St. Brown has two TD catches in each of the first two games and is on pace for more than 130 receptions.

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Seattle Seahawks (2-0) at Washington Commanders (0-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Seahawks -7.5, Total 40.5
Series Rewind: Seattle has won three of the last four meetings, including a 38-14 road romp in Week 9 last season. That snapped a streak of four straight games in the series that were decided by five or fewer points.

The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks are allowing only 8.5 points and 214.0 yards of offense per game, a significant challenge for a Washington offense playing without electric quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow). Seattle coach Mike Macdonald (29-10, including playoffs) can become just the sixth head coach since 1970 to win 30 of his first 40 games, joining George Seifert, Matt LaFleur, Chuck Knox, Ted Marchibroda and Steve Mariucci. After leading the league with 1,793 receiving yards in 2025, Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba currently is on pace for more than 2,300 yards. Quarterback Sam Darnold (glute) was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. The Commanders will once again turn to Marcus Mariota, who has a winning record (2-1) in his career vs. Seattle. Washington is 2-0 in home openers under coach Dan Quinn, who will need to see improvement from a secondary that has already allowed seven touchdown passes. Veteran Stefon Diggs has three TD catches but has never found the end zone in four previous games against Seattle.

Los Angeles Chargers (0-2) at Buffalo Bills (2-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bills -7.5, Total 50.5
Series Rewind: The Bills have won the past two meetings after losing the previous four. Josh Allen is 2-1 against the Chargers.

The Bills lead the NFL with 77 points after beating the Texans and the Lions while the Chargers tallied just 28 in losses to the Cardinals and Raiders. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen was in fine form last week by throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for two during a 41-31 home win over the Lions. Allen has passed for 582 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 92 yards and four scores. James Cook III rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown against Detroit and is fifth in the league with 192 rushing yards. Tight end Dalton Kincaid is off to a big start with 12 receptions for 225 yards and one score. Buffalo hopes star defensive tackle Ed Oliver (hip) can make it this week after sitting out against Detroit. The Chargers are looking to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2017, which came in their first season in Los Angeles after the controversial move from San Diego. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was supposed to take off under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel but the results haven’t matched that forecast. Herbert has passed for just 401 yards — 23rd in the NFL — with two touchdowns and three interceptions. His 59.3 completion rate is well off his career mark of 66.4. Ladd McConkey (eight for 117) is the lone receiver with more than 75 yards but has just nine yards after the catch. The defense has just three sacks and one takeaway, an interception by cornerback Cam Hart.

Tennessee Titans (0-2) at New York Giants (1-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Giants -2.5, Total 38.5
Series Rewind: After losing five straight meetings with Tennessee, New York has taken two of the last three. The Titans are 3-0 in the 21st century against the Giants in East Rutherford, N.J., including a 17-0 win in 2018.

First-year Tennessee head coach Robert Saleh is back at MetLife Stadium, where he coached the Jets from 2021-24. Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll also returns to East Rutherford, where he guided the Giants from 2022-25 and earned 2022 NFL Coach of the Year honors. Daboll’s replacement, John Harbaugh, opened his Big Apple tenure with a Week 1 victory against the rival Cowboys but then lost starting QB Jaxson Dart for the rest of the regular season to a knee injury in Monday’s loss to the Rams. Jameis Winston is a capable backup with a 5,000-yard season on his resume, but he has not won a start since November 2024 with the Browns. The former No. 1 overall pick could use some help from Cam Skattebo, who has gained 402 scrimmage yards and scored five rushing touchdowns in four career home games. Tennessee is looking to avoid a third straight 0-3 start after letting a win against the Eagles slip away last weekend in Nashville. Titans receiver Wan’Dale Robinson played for the Giants from 2022-25.

Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chiefs -10.5, Total 45.5
Series Rewind: Kansas City has won five straight games against Miami to take a 17-16 lead in the all-time series. The Dolphins last beat the Chiefs in 2011.

The Chiefs have already scored 31-plus points as many times in two games this season as they did all of last season. But after a pair of home victories over Denver and Indianapolis, Kansas City hits the road for the first time this weekend at Miami. Patrick Mahomes hasn’t missed a step in his return from injury, passing for 566 yards and five touchdowns (to five different receivers) against one interception. The Chiefs’ defense, however, is looking for improvement after giving up 24 first downs in the overtime win over the Colts. A Miami offense which is second-worst in the NFL in scoring offense (13 points per game) could be what ails that for Kansas City. Offseason acquisition Malik Willis has thrown for 417 yards, one touchdown and one interception through his first two games. He’s also been sacked nine times, while Miami’s defense is the only one in the league still looking for its first sack of the season.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bengals -3.5, Total 42.5
Series Rewind: The AFC North foes have split their season series each of the last two seasons, with the home teams both winning in 2025 and road teams each winning in 2024. Pittsburgh leads the all-time series 72-41.

Cincinnati is seeking its first 3-0 start since 2015. In order to get there, it’ll need to beat Pittsburgh on the road, which it has done three times in the previous five seasons. While the Bengals’ offense has been clicking with Joe Burrow getting both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins heavily involved in the passing game, the defense led the way in last week’s 20-6 win over Houston, keeping the Texans out of the end zone and limiting them to 60 rushing yards and a 29.4% success rate on third down (5-for-17). Pittsburgh is hoping to move past a 20-3 loss at New England. The Steelers’ offense completed just 2 of 12 third downs, with Aaron Rodgers limited to 187 passing yards. Pittsburgh surrendered a fourth-quarter strip-sack which was returned for a touchdown and effectively put the game to bed. Rodgers is still seeking his first completion this season on a pass that travels 20-plus yards in the air.

New England Patriots (1-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Jaguars -2.5, Total 45.5
Series Rewind: New England won eight straight games over the Jaguars from 2003-18, including the AFC championship game to end that streak. But Jacksonville has won two of the three matchups since, home games in 2018 and 2024.

New England, which was a perfect 8-0 in regular-season road games a season ago, looks to start a new road winning streak at Jacksonville after losing its first game of this season at Seattle in Week 1. The Jaguars have won five straight regular-season home games dating back to last season. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is still looking to get into gear off his second-place NFL MVP finish last season, with one touchdown to four interceptions through the first two games. New England’s defense, which is allowing a league-best 8.0 points per game, has carried the day through these early struggles. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence had a stellar debut (four touchdowns to four different players) but was then held under 200 yards and without a touchdown in last week’s 20-6 win at Denver. Parker Washington (181 yards) has carried over the success he found in his breakthrough 2025 campaign.

 

Red Sox Re-Up Breslow, Sign Tracy

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BOSTON – (Wire Service Report) – The Boston Red Sox dropped the interim tag on Tuesday and named Chad Tracy as the 49th manager in franchise history. Tracy agreed to a three-year contract that will extend through the 2029 season with a club option in 2030.

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Also on Tuesday, the Red Sox exercised their 2029 and 2030 contract options on Craig Breslow, the team’s chief baseball officer.

No financial terms were released.

“Craig and Chad are two exceptionally talented leaders who have earned these opportunities in very different ways,” Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy said in a statement. “Over the last three years, we have watched Craig bring clarity, discipline, and conviction to the work of building our baseball operation. Chad was asked to step into a difficult situation with little notice, but the trust he immediately commanded at the major league level was earned through years of work across our organization.

“What this team has accomplished over the past several months has been historic. Results matter greatly in this business, but so do judgment, character, and the ability to bring out the best in others. Craig and Chad have demonstrated all of those qualities, and they have earned our confidence in leading us forward.”

Breslow, 46, was named to his position on Oct. 25, 2023. The Red Sox have posted a 254-226 record under his watch.

Tracy, 41, was named the interim manager on April 26, taking over a team that owned a 10-17 record under former manager Alex Cora. They have qualified for a wild-card berth in the American League playoffs and have an 84-72 record heading into the final six games of the season.

Boston’s success under Tracy was highlighted by a 27-3 mark from July 3-Aug. 7 that served as the best 30-game span in franchise history.

“It became pretty clear early on,” said Breslow. “We didn’t want it to become a distraction and it was pretty easy to get it (the three-year deal) across the finish line.”

“All the focus can be on October baseball,” said Tracy.

–Field Level Media

College Sports Act Moves Forward in DC

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WASH DC – (Wire Service Report) – The Protect College Sports Act took a step forward on Tuesday when the U.S. Senate voted 74-24 to move the bipartisan measure closer to a vote of the full body.

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The vote count to invoke cloture easily exceeded the 60 needed to prevent a potential filibuster.

One of the bill’s co-sponsors, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), said ahead of the vote on the Senate floor, “This bill brings order to (college  sports). It helps women and Olympic sports, and it sets up a commission to look at the real future, which I think should include collective bargaining. …

“Let’s bring some sanity. Recognize that athletes do deserve revenue sharing, and that this bill will put that into law for the first time.”

The other co-sponsor is Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

The multifaceted bill would, among many other items,:

–Nationalize the name, image and likeness policies that are currently different in each state.

–Cap the amount of revenue schools can share with student-athletes at 22%, which currently comes out at $21.5 million.

–Institute a “retention pool” of $27.5 million that would cut down on third-party NIL involvement.

–Ensure athletes could continue to use their scholarships for 10 years following the expiration of their eligibility to pursue a degree.

–Bans schools from pulling scholarships due to an injury or a poor performance.

–Permit athletes one transfer with immediate eligibility at the new school.

–Allow conferences to choose whether to pool media rights revenue.

–Permanently codify the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility rule.

–Stop football coaches from moving to a new school midseason, a provision that is being referred to as the “Lane Kiffin rule” as a nod to the coach who left Ole Miss ahead of last season’s College Football Playoff to take over at LSU.

Should the Senate approve the bill, it then must get the OK from the House of Representatives, where a close vote is expected.

If both chambers pass the Protect College Sports Act, it would move to President Donald Trump for his signature. Trump has said he would sign the bill to make it law.

–Field Level Media

“It’s On to Tampa Bay”

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FENWAY – (Staff Report from Official Team News Statement) – Major League Baseball announced today that the Red Sox series finale against the Chicago Cubs will be relocated to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Originally set for 7:15 p.m. on September 25 at Fenway Park, the new game is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. on Sunday, September 26 at the home of the Tampa Bay Rays.

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The change was made in continued consultation with the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs due to the unchanged forecast of a major nor’easter expected to bring heavy rain, high winds, and potential flooding to the region during the weekend. Tickets purchased directly from the Red Sox will be automatically refunded back to the original payment. The ticket will hold no cash value. Refunds will be completed within 7 days. Sunday’s game will be televised on NESN

Red Sox Rally Past Cubs

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FENWAY – (Wire Service Report) – Boston left fielder Roman Anthony went 3-for-3 with three runs, including one on Connor Wong’s tie-breaking RBI double in the seventh inning, leading the Red Sox to a 4-3 win over the visiting Chicago Cubs in the first game of their Friday doubleheader.

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Anthony hit two doubles and walked before lining a one-out triple down the right field line off Cubs reliever Aaron Civale (6-8) to spark the Red Sox in the seventh. Wong then drove in Anthony, lining a double over third baseman Matt Shaw’s leap and into the left field corner.

Adley Rutschman was 2-for-4 with two RBIs for the Red Sox (86-74), tying the game with a two-run single in the fifth.

Greg Weissert (4-2) pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the victory. Raymond Burgos locked down his second save of the season, striking out three of the final six batters.

Shaw and Michael Busch both had multiple hits and Miguel Amaya drove in two for the Cubs (88-72), who clinched a National League playoff berth Thursday and remain in the running to host a wild-card series.

Alex Bregman returned to Chicago’s lineup just five days after sustaining multiple facial fractures from a foul ball. He went 0-for-4 as the designated hitter.

The Cubs struck first in the opening frame. After Red Sox opener Alec Gamboa struck out leadoff hitter Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki walked and scored when Tyrone Taylor hit a two-out RBI double into the wind and off the Green Monster two batters later.

Back-to-back hits by Shaw and Busch to start the second helped Chicago extend its lead to 3-0. After Shaw was cut down on Dansby Swanson’s fielder’s choice, Amaya knocked a two-run double down the left field line.

The Red Sox wasted Anthony’s leadoff double in the first and two on with one out in the second, but cut into their deficit with a run in the third. Anthony drew a leadoff walk and reached second on Rutschman’s single to right before scoring on shortstop Swanson’s overthrow while attempting to double up Wilyer Abreu.

Rutschman’s game-tying single up the middle came after Caleb Thielbar relieved Holmes in the fifth. Setting the table, Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a leadoff single to left before Anthony doubled into the corner.

Jake Bennett pitched 3+ innings of three-hit shutout ball behind Gamboa.

Cubs starter Clay Holmes allowed three runs (two earned) in his 4 1/3-inning start.

Red Sox catcher Mickey Gasper left with right biceps discomfort after striking out in the fifth.

–Field Level Media

The Road to Inglewood via Jacksonville

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JACKSONVILLE – (Wire Service Preview) – The New England Patriots were the best road team in the NFL last season, a perfect 8-0 in the regular season.

New England travels to Jacksonville on Sunday afternoon looking to start a new streak against the Jaguars. The Patriots lost at Seattle to begin the regular season.

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It won’t be easy against a Jacksonville crew going for its sixth consecutive regular-season home win dating back to last season.

“They play well at home. They’ve been getting great first-half leads,” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said of Jacksonville. “They feast off turnovers. They’ve been creating turnovers and turning those into points.”

Division winners in the AFC last season, Jacksonville and New England have taken opposing paths to their respective 1-1 records.

The Jaguars opened with a convincing win over the Cleveland Browns before blowing a fourth-quarter lead in last week’s 20-13 loss at Denver.

Trevor Lawrence threw a touchdown pass to four different receivers in the opening win, then was held under 200 passing yards with no touchdowns against the Broncos.

Jacksonville hasn’t found the same consistent offensive success as it had in Liam Coen’s first season as head coach.

The 2025 Jaguars finished sixth in the NFL in scoring offense (27.9 points per game) and 11th in total offense (337.4 yards per game). This year’s team ranks 15th in scoring (23.5 ppg) and total offense (314.0 ypg) through two games.

Wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. (80 yards) and Jakobi Meyers (68) and tight end Brenton Strange (48) haven’t carried over their production which buoyed the 2025 offense.

Parker Washington, however, has built on his breakthrough 2025 campaign, following up his 847 yards and five TDs with a team-high 181 yards and a touchdown this season.

“Obviously, he’s super talented. He gets open, creates separation. He’s a really good route runner, great ball skills, can make contested catches. All those things are part of it,” Lawrence said of Washington’s success. “I trust him. Our chemistry has grown more and more over the past year of him being put in a lot of different situations and excelling and winning his 1-on-1s. All those things kind of play into that.”

New England features a lockdown cornerback in Christian Gonzalez, who has excelled since signing a record-breaking four-year, $135 million extension before the regular season began. Gonzalez locked up DK Metcalf in the Patriots’ win last week. Washington isn’t the same type of physical specimen, but has been more productive.

He’s No. 2 in the NFL in target share behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba at 36.7% which is why he warrants the attention of Gonzalez.

The Patriots were unable to beat the Drew Lock-led Seahawks in their opener but bounced back with a resounding 20-3 home win over Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh last week.

New England is allowing a league-best 8.0 points per game, while Drake Maye scrambles to recapture the momentum of his second-place MVP finish last season.

The third-year quarterback has one touchdown pass and four interceptions. Vrabel is trusting the process over the early results.

“Being decisive, believing in what you see,” Vrabel said of what he wants to see from Maye. “All we ask all our players to do is prepare to try to play fast and aggressively and make great decisions. So, yeah, we could always say, ‘Man, we should have let that one rip,’ or ‘We’ve got to make a better decision.’

“Ultimately, it’s his responsibility to be able to distribute the football as quickly and decisively as possible in the places that it’s supposed to go.”

Meyers (thumb), running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (hip), offensive linemen Robert Hainsey (elbow/groin) and Cole Van Lanen (knee) as well as defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (back) were all limited in Jacksonville’s practice on Thursday. Cornerback Christian Braswell (knee) pracaticed in full one day after being limited.

A pair of New England linebackers in Dre’Mont Jones (shoulder) and Quintayvious Hutchins (knee), along with safety Craig Woodson (shoulder) and tight end Eli Raridon (thigh) didn’t practice Thursday, while starting right tackle Morgan Moses (foot) was limited.

Jacksonville has won the last two times it hosted New England, most recently in 2024, but the Patriots hold a 12-3 edge in the all-time series, including postseason play.

–Field Level Media

Cubs Visit Cold, Rainy Boston for Finale

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – As Boston braces for an extended nor’easter, the Red Sox and the visiting Chicago Cubs are looking to get ahead of the storm and make sure baseball gets played with a Friday doubleheader.

The teams will begin their final regular-season series with 1:05 and 6:05 p.m. games today. The opener originally was slated for Sunday. The clubs’ final regular-season game remains set for Saturday night, but it could be moved to another location with multiple days of continued wind and rain in the Boston-area forecast.

“There have been discussions around an alternate site. They’ve talked about a handful of different places. But at this point, nothing is concrete,” Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said before his team’s 1-0 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday.

The Cubs (88-71) earned a 2-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Thursday afternoon, clinching their second straight postseason berth.

It was a memorable day in Chicago even before the result. Pete Crow-Armstrong became the seventh 40-homer, 40-steal player in major league history after stealing second base in the first inning. The National League MVP favorite has 45 homers to go with his 40 steals.

“You’re just part of enjoying it,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “And I think it’s the things you remember about the job, moments like that and moments that he’s provided all of us.”

Chicago’s Seiya Suzuki homered and Nico Hoerner had the deciding RBI in the playoff clincher.

The Cubs have work to do this weekend if they want to host a best-of-three wild-card series. Chicago sits in the second NL wild-card spot, one game behind the San Diego Padres (89-70) and one game up on the Philadelphia Phillies (87-72). The top wild-card team stays home through the opening round of the playoffs.

“It’s a time when things feel stronger — the end of the season with a lot on the line,” Hoerner said. “Those are also times with the greatest opportunity, too. So just really leaning into all of it.”

The Cubs are expected to start Clay Holmes (6-8, 3.25 ERA) and David Peterson (9-8, 4.96) — both midseason acquisitions from the New York Mets — in the Friday games.

Holmes allowed six runs in 5 1/3 innings in a Sept. 18 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, and he is 0-2 with a 9.39 ERA in three starts this month. He has faced the Red Sox 21 times in his career (one start), going 4-2 with a 3.42 ERA and four saves.

Peterson threw six innings of one-run ball while fanning seven in each of his past two outings, including Sunday against the Reds. He is 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA in five career outings (three starts) opposite Boston.

The Red Sox (85-74) have lost four of their last five, scoring no more than two runs in any contest over that span. The recent series loss to Cleveland finished a split of consecutive 1-0 games, a Red Sox win on Wednesday and a Guardians victory on Thursday.

In the series finale, Boston managed only two hits, singles by Nick Sogard and Jarren Duran, wasting a solid five-inning pitching performance from Ranger Suarez.

Andruw Monasterio snapped an 0-for-21 skid with a game-winning RBI single the previous night.

“Over these next three games, if you see some (offense) bust out, that would be great,” Tracy said. “We did have some quality plate appearances from certain guys, which was good to see.”

Tracy’s lineup on Thursday included Ceddanne Rafaela in center field. One night earlier, Rafaela exited the game due to right hamstring tightness. However, first baseman Willson Contreras sat out his sixth game in a row.

Contreras was hit in the right hand by a pitch a week ago, and he couldn’t swing a bat the past two days. Tracy hopes to have him back for postseason play on Tuesday, but the first baseman gave a disappointing update about his condition.

“It’s really frustrating when you’re doing the best you can do, you’re expecting to heal faster and it doesn’t happen,” Contreras said.

Rookie southpaw Alec Gamboa (1-0, 1.16 ERA) will pitch for the Red Sox in the Friday afternoon game. He has made 20 appearances this season, including two outings as an opener. In his past 13 outings, he has allowed just two runs, one earned, in 18 innings (0.50 ERA).

Gamboa will be facing the Cubs for the first time.

Right-hander Brayan Bello (6-7, 4.49) is slated to start the nightcap after striking out 11 Tampa Bay Rays over eight innings of one-run ball on Saturday.

In two career starts vs. the Cubs, Bello is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA.

–Field Level Media

Sonny Gray, Sox Shut-Out Guardians

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FENWAY – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Boston’s reserve utilityman Andruw Monasterio’s sixth-inning RBI single and starting pitcher Sonny Gray’s six shutout innings propelled the ed Sox to a 1-0 win over the visiting Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night.

The Red Sox (85-73) managed the lone run on 12 hits, all singles. They went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base through five innings before Monasterio’s run-scoring, two-out knock off Cleveland starter Foster Griffin (15-6) broke the deadlock.

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In the sixth, Jarren Duran (2-for-3) lined a leadoff single to left and moved to second on a groundout. He scored from second base on Monasterio’s knock, sliding ahead of left fielder Steven Kwan’s relay throw and catcher Patrick Bailey’s tag.

Gray (18-5) struck out three while allowing four hits and one walk to increase his American League-leading win total. Tyron Guerrero, Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman each threw a scoreless inning to finish off Boston’s 17th shutout victory of the season.

Chapman struck out the side in the ninth to log his 35th save as Boston snapped a three-game losing streak.

Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela returned from a 17-game injury absence caused by a right quad strain to record all three outs in the first, including a spectacular diving catch on Kwan, the leadoff hitter who still went 2-for-4 for Cleveland (82-76).

Griffin worked six frames, striking out seven and allowing one run on 10 hits and no walks.

The Guardians remained one game up on the White Sox (81-77) in the American League Central after Chicago lost 5-4 at Kansas City on Wednesday.

Rafaela hit a leadoff single in the second inning but appeared to be in pain after reaching first. He stayed in the game to run the bases and initially took his defensive position before Duran replaced him. The Red Sox announced that Rafaela was dealing with right hamstring tightness.

Rafaela’s defense helped Gray retire the first six men he faced. Bailey recorded Cleveland’s first hit with a leadoff single in the third, but a 6-3 double play ended the inning without any damage. Gray fanned a pair of Guardians to strand two to end the fourth.

After the lone run scored and Gray exited, Guerrero struck out three in the seventh after a leadoff walk. Whitlock worked around Brayan Rocchio’s leadoff single and Jose Ramirez’s one-out walk in the eighth, inducing an inning-ending double-play grounder from Chase DeLauter.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox and Cubs Brace for Nor’Easter

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BOSTON – (Wire Service Report) – A major storm heading toward New England this weekend is expected to force the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox into an early end to the regular season. The upcoming three-game series, which starts Friday at Boston, is expected to have playoff seeding implications. The Boston Globe reported Wednesday that MLB does not plan to move the series to an alternate location despite a storm that will include heavy rain and wind in a regional event commonly known as a Nor’easter.

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With the worst of the weather expected to begin Saturday night, multiple outlets have reported that a Friday doubleheader is being planned, with a single game on Saturday that would end the regular season for both clubs.

The Red Sox (84-73) were locked into either the second or third wild-card spot in the American League. They entered Wednesday’s play as the second wild card with a three-game lead on the Chicago White Sox in the third spot.

The Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres all were tied for the top spot the National League wild-card standings at 87-70, with the Arizona Diamondbacks still holding a outside chance at a postseason spot, four games back.

The tight Friday-Saturday schedule would have its advantages for both teams. Both would get an extra day of rest for their pitching staffs heading into wild-card round opening games Tuesday as the remainder of the wild-card field finishes their regular-season schedule Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox on Guard

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BOSTON – (Wire Service Report) – The Boston Red Sox hope to shift some momentum in advance of the playoffs when they host the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night in the second game of a three-game series.

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Cleveland extended its winning streak to six games by beating Boston 3-2 on Tuesday. It was the third straight loss for the Red Sox (84-73), who have dropped eight of their last 12 games and own a 9-10 record in September but still clinched a wild-card berth on Sunday.

Add left-handed reliever Erik Miller to the list of Boston’s concerns as the Red Sox prepare for the playoffs. Miller looked sharp when the Red Sox acquired him from San Francisco in August, but he has allowed nine walks and hit two batters in September.

One of those hit batsmen scored the game-winning run Tuesday. Miller hit Chase DeLauter to start the ninth inning, and DeLauter ended up breaking a 2-2 tie when he scored on Nathaniel Lowe’s sacrifice fly.

Miller has given up six runs and six walks in his past 3 1/3 innings and took the loss on Tuesday.

“He’s working through stuff,” Boston manager Chad Tracy said. “I thought today was another step in the right direction. The hit batter … the free passes are what gets you, and I think he also got some bad batted ball (luck). … We’re gonna try to get him out there a couple more times this week. Obviously still trust the stuff. If we can get that right, trust the stuff and his ability to strike out guys.”

Tuesday’s win allowed the Guardians (82-75) to remain one game ahead of the Chicago White Sox at the top of the American League Central standings. Chicago has the division tiebreaker over Cleveland, which has a magic number of two to clinch a playoff berth.

Meanwhile, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt called Lowe “a professional hitter.”

“You know he’s not trying to do too much,” Vogt said. “He’s not going up there trying to be a hero, hitting a three-run homer. Just score the guy from third. Got a pitch up in the zone, and was able to drive it deep enough to left. And you know he continues to just make plays for us.”

The Guardians won despite stranding 15 runners and a 1-for-12 hitting performance with runners in scoring position.

“Again, felt like it was another night where we get a ton of traffic, we put a lot of pressure on, and just weren’t able to get the big hit,” Vogt said. “You know, we were able to get a couple runs across, but we left a lot on the table. But I just love the way we’re making guys work. We’re getting on base … and we’re going to come through a lot more often than not. And again, our pitching just picked us up again tonight.”

Tracy said he expects center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela (quadriceps) to be activated from the injured list on Wednesday. The manager also said first baseman Willson Contreras still has some soreness in his hand and won’t be in the lineup Wednesday but is close to returning.

Right-hander Sonny Gray (17-5, 2.82 ERA) will start for the Red Sox on Wednesday. He’s 8-5 with a 3.12 ERA in 21 career starts against the Guardians. On May 30, he gave up one run on four hits and three walks over six innings against them. He struck out seven in a 9-1 win.

Left-hander Foster Griffin (15-5, 3.67 ERA) will start for Cleveland on Wednesday. It will be his first career appearance against the Red Sox.

–Field Level Media

Sox Face Guardians in Home Stretch

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BOSTON – (Wire Service Report) – The Cleveland Guardians are playing some of their best baseball of the season at the most important time, and they will attempt to extend a five-game winning streak when they visit the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday.

Cleveland (81-75) has a one-game lead over the Chicago White Sox for first place in the American League Central standings with six games remaining. After playing three games at Boston, the Guardians will wrap up the regular season with a three-game road series against the Kansas City Royals.

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The Guardians also have a three-game lead over the Texas Rangers, who are at the top of the American League West standings. Cleveland and Texas are among the teams battling for the AL’s No. 2 seed, which comes with a first-round bye.

“The feeling in the clubhouse is pretty awesome right now,” Cleveland closer Cade Smith said after he earned his 39th save in 44 opportunities when the Guardians beat the Athletics 1-0 Sunday. “We’ve got some momentum. We’ve got confidence in the way we’re playing. We’re playing clean baseball.

“There’s this kind of calm focus that we’re ready to go out there and play. We’re looking forward to taking it one game at a time and finishing strong and setting us up for the postseason.”

The Guardians went 10-20 in their first 30 games after the All-Star break and were a season-high five games under .500 (61-66) at that point but have gone 20-9 since then.

“One day at a time,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “We can only control today. Let’s go 1-0 every day and let’s worry about tomorrow, tomorrow, because here we are, one week to go, six games to go. We’re right in it and we have a great opportunity in front of us.”

Despite dropping a 5-1 decision to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, Boston (84-72) clinched a playoff spot when the Houston Astros lost to the Atlanta Braves. A postseason berth didn’t seem likely when the Red Sox had a 32-46 record on June 24.

“They didn’t take no for an answer,” said interim manager Chad Tracy, who took over a 10-17 team when he replaced Alex Cora on April 26. “When you work as hard as we have worked, it was almost July (before we got going), and to fight as hard as we did, to put ourselves in the position we did, I don’t think you care much how (the spot is clinched). You just want to see your ticket get punched.”

The Red Sox will almost certainly open the playoffs with a best-of-three wild-card series on the road against the New York Yankees. Boston and New York also met in the wild-card round last year, when the Yankees won the series in three games.

Boston also has six regular-season games remaining. After the three-game series against the Guardians, Boston will play three home games against the Chicago Cubs.

Tuesday’s pitching matchup features a pair of left-handers in Cleveland’s Parker Messick (12-9, 2.57 ERA) and Boston’s Payton Tolle (9-6, 3.02). Tolle was originally scheduled to pitch over the weekend against Tampa Bay, but had his start pushed back as Boston lines up its pitching for the postseason.

Messick doesn’t have a decision against Boston but has a 4.15 ERA in two career appearances (both starts). Tolle has not pitched against Cleveland during his career.

–Field Level Media