ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 23: Andrew Benintendi #23 of the Chicago White Sox runs the bases on his ninth inning solo home run against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on July 23, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
How Brayan Bello Felt About Working With New Red Sox Catcher.
‘We’ve had a good dynamic since he got here’
Red Sox starting pitcher Brayan Bello had a new battery mate Wednesday afternoon at Fenway Park.
Bello primarily worked with either Connor Wong or Reese McGuire after breaking into the big leagues with Boston in July 2022. But the series finale against the Mariners saw the right-hander paired with Danny Jansen, who the Red Sox acquired in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays last week. Jansen made his Boston debut Sunday night, but Wednesday marked his first game behind the dish in his new uniform.
The results were positive, as Bello limited the visitors to two runs in his longest outing (6 1/3 innings) since July 14. The 25-year-old enjoyed working with Jansen, which bodes well for the club as it rolls along in its playoff push.
“We’ve had a good dynamic since he got here,” Bello told reporters through a team translator, per The Athletic. “He’s been talking to me and asking how I pitch, what I wanted to accomplish. We got into a good rhythm, I think we were able to locate my pitches up in the zone and down in the zone, in and out, so it was very good for me today.”
Story continues below advertisement
Facilitating a great pitching performance, which included 2 2/3 hitless innings from the bullpen, wasn’t the only way Jansen impacted the finale against Seattle. The veteran backstop also logged a game-tying RBI single in the sixth, which set the stage for the Red Sox to walk things off in the 10th.
Boston now will try to ride its new momentum into a six-game road trip, which begins Friday evening in Texas.
MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox Among Favorites To Land All-Star.
Boston could use some bullpen help
The Red Sox potentially could make a big splash before the MLB trade deadline passes.
Former big league general manager Jim Bowden shared some major news Sunday when he reported Boston was among the clubs pursuing Miami relief pitcher Tanner Scott. Bowden, who now contributes to The Athletic, issued a follow-up Monday when he claimed the Red Sox were one of the teams “leading the mix” to acquire the lights-out left-hander from the Marlins.
It’s worth noting Boston apparently is facing significant competition in its reported Scott pursuit. The New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals — all of whom entered Tuesday in control of an American League playoff spot — are the other teams “leading the mix” to land the 2024 All-Star, per Bowden. Additional clubs appear to be involved, too.
The robust market isn’t the least bit surprising. Scott entered deadline day with a minuscule 1.18 ERA and 18 saves through 45 2/3 innings. Kenley Jansen likely would retain his closer role if Scott was traded to Boston, but the star southpaw could be a top-tier set-up man for Boston as it embarks on the final two months of the regular season.
