WooSox return to Polar Park for homestand against Rochester Red Wings

The Worcester Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, return to Polar Park on Tuesday, May 19, to commence a six-game homestand against the Rochester Red Wings. Entering the series with a 23-20 record, the WooSox are looking to rebound from a recent period of instability in which they lost five of their last seven games. The team arrives in Worcester following a successful road trip, having secured a 4-0 series sweep in New York on Sunday.

The Rochester Red Wings, currently holding a 25-20 record, present a significant challenge as the WooSox attempt to regain momentum. A key narrative for the homestand involves the return of former top prospect Luis Perales to Polar Park. Perales, now a right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals and ranked as the organisation’s No. 7 prospect, is tentatively scheduled to take the mound for Rochester on Saturday.

The presence of Perales highlights a recent transaction that reshaped both clubs’ pitching rotations. The Worcester Red Sox acquired left-handed pitcher Jake Bennett from Washington during the offseason in exchange for Perales. Bennett is expected to pitch for the WooSox on Wednesday, creating a direct on-field intersection between the two players involved in the trade.

Beyond the competitive elements, the homestand features an extensive schedule of community engagements and promotions. The weekend lineup includes Military Appreciation Day on Sunday, which will see the debut of WooSox patriotic jerseys, and a special appearance by film director Ron Shelton on Saturday. Shelton, known for directing baseball films such as Bull Durham and Tin Cup, will participate in the Larry Lucchino Writers Series, drawing on his own experience playing minor league baseball for the Baltimore Orioles system, including time with the Rochester Red Wings in 1970 and 1971.

The daily schedule is structured around various thematic nights and community partnerships. Tuesday includes Taco & Tequila Tuesday and Mental Health & Wellness Night, while Wednesday features First Responder Wednesday and Albanian Heritage Night. Thursday is designated as AbbVie STEM Day, and Friday includes Star Wars UniBank Fireworks and Deaf & Hard of Hearing Awareness Night. Saturday also hosts Breast Cancer Awareness Day and a Scout Sleepover, with Sunday concluding the homestand with a Kids Run the Bases event.