Red Sox Face Injury-Depleted Pirates in Series Decider Before Fenway Homestand
Patrick Sandoval takes the mound against Lake Bachar as both clubs manage significant roster constraints ahead of a critical six-game homestand.
The Boston Red Sox arrive at PNC Park for the rubber game of their three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, aiming to secure a series victory before returning to Fenway Park for a six-game homestand. Boston enters the contest with a 66-57 record, sitting third in the American League East, while Pittsburgh holds a 60-65 record and sits last in the National League Central. The teams split the first two games, with the Pirates winning the opener 8-4 before Boston responded with a 4-0 shutout on Saturday.
Patrick Sandoval is scheduled to start for the Red Sox, bringing a 1-1 record and a 3.30 ERA into the matchup. Pittsburgh will counter with right-hander Lake Bachar, who holds a 1-2 record and a 3.97 ERA. Bachar starts in place of Paul Skenes, whose scheduled appearance was pushed back three days to provide additional rest following a recent velocity decline. The Pirates confirmed that the decision to rest Skenes was not related to an injury.
Boston’s preparation for the finale is complicated by a lengthy injury list. Masataka Yoshida has been placed on the injured list with a left hamstring strain sustained while running out a double during Saturday’s third inning. Mickey Gasper has been recalled from Triple-A Worcester to replace him. Additionally, left-hander Justin Slaten was placed on the injured list with elbow soreness, prompting the recall of Raymond Burgos.
Slaten’s absence further reduces Boston’s late-inning bullpen depth, compounding the loss of setup man Garrett Whitlock, who is on the injured list with right elbow inflammation. The Red Sox also remain without Roman Anthony, Trevor Story, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Curtis Mead, and Garrett Crochet. However, several reinforcements are progressing toward returns, with Story beginning a rehab assignment with Worcester and Anthony scheduled to start one with Double-A Portland on Tuesday.
The Red Sox look to build on their Saturday performance, where veteran Sonny Gray pitched seven scoreless innings to improve his record to 15-3 with a 2.99 ERA. Wilyer Abreu contributed significantly to the win with a home run and two doubles, helping Boston secure the victory after Jarren Duran, Andruw Monasterio, and Jahmai Jones added insurance runs in the ninth inning. First pitch for Sunday’s finale is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET.
