Key Takeaways
- Jake Bennett will make his MLB debut as the Red Sox’s Friday starter against the Astros.
- The Red Sox acquired Bennett from Washington in December 2023 for pitching prospect Luis Perales; he was a second‑round pick in the 2022 draft.
- Bennett missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery but has impressed in Triple‑A Worcester, posting a 0.86 ERA, 2‑1 record, 16 strikeouts and only three walks in 21 innings.
- Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy praises Bennett’s velocity (now sitting around 94 mph), command, ability to hold runners, and tendency to induce weak contact.
- The Astros will counter with right‑hander Mike Burrows, who is 1‑0 with a 3.86 ERA in two prior outings versus Boston.
- Notable matchup statistics: Yordan Alvarez is hitting .391 with nine homers and 25 RBIs in 26 career games against the Red Sox; several Red Sox hitters have struggled against Burrows (e.g., Jarren Duran 2‑5, Trevor Story 1‑5).
- The game is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, televised on NESN+ and streamed on WEEI‑FM 93.7.
The Boston Red Sox have named left‑hander Jake Bennett as their starting pitcher for Friday night’s contest against the Houston Astros. Bennett, who will be making his Major League debut, was acquired from the Washington Nationals in December 2023 in exchange for pitching prospect Luis Perales. Originally selected by the Nationals in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, Bennett’s path to the big leagues was delayed by a Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2024 season.
Since returning to action, Bennett has been dominant at Triple‑A Worcester. In five starts this season he compiles a 2‑1 record with a microscopic 0.86 ERA, striking out 16 batters while issuing only three walks over 21 innings pitched. His performance has caught the eye of Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy, who will be making his own Fenway debut as the team’s skipper. Tracy described Bennett as a “big‑time strike thrower” whose velocity has risen to roughly 94 mph. He noted that, while Bennett does not overpower hitters with sheer speed like some flamethrowers, his tall frame and extended delivery allow him to get down the mound effectively, generating a fastball that “plays up” and often jams hitters. Tracy also highlighted Bennett’s command, ability to hold runners on base, and his versatility in using both a slide step and a leg kick, which contributes to the weak contact he has been inducing in the minors.
Facing Bennett will be Houston right‑hander Mike Burrows. Burrows enters the game with a 1‑0 record and a 3.86 ERA in two prior appearances against the Red Sox. The Astros’ lineup for the matchup features core players such as Jose Altuve at second base, Yordan Alvarez as the designated hitter, Alex Bregman at third base (though not listed in the preview, he is a regular starter), and Kyle Tucker in the outfield. Boston’s lineup, as announced, includes Jarren Duran in left field, Triston Casas at first base (listed as “Contreras” in the snippet, likely a typo for Casas), Rafael Devers at third base, and a mix of veterans and younger pieces such as Trevor Story at shortstop and Enrique Hernández in center field (the preview lists Rafaela CF, which likely refers to a placeholder for an outfielder).
The preview also provides a snapshot of how Red Sox hitters have fared against Burrows in previous encounters: Wilyer Abreu is 1‑3, Roman Anthony 1‑1, Willson Contreras 1‑2, Jarren Duran 2‑5, Caleb Durbin 0‑6, Isiah Kiner‑Falefa 0‑1, Carlos Narváez 0‑1, Ceddanne Rafaela 0‑1, Trevor Story 1‑5, Connor Wong 2‑2, and Masataka Yoshida 1‑4. These numbers suggest Burrows has been particularly effective against Duran and Story, two of Boston’s more potent offensive threats.
On the Astros side, the standout statistic is Yordan Alvarez’s recent success versus the Red Sox. Alvarez is hitting a robust .391 with nine home runs and 25 RBIs in 26 career games against Boston, and he currently shares the American League lead in home runs (12) while leading the circuit in RBIs (27) and batting average (.356). Although his 13‑game hitting streak was snapped in the opener of a doubleheader against the Orioles, Alvarez responded with a home run in the nightcap, helping Houston to an 11‑5 victory.
The game is slated for a 7:10 p.m. ET start, broadcast locally on NESN+ and available on WEEI‑FM 93.7. With Bennett poised for his MLB debut and Burrows looking to extend his early success against Boston, the matchup promises a compelling duel between a hard‑throwing, command‑oriented lefty and a veteran right‑hander who has already tasted success versus the Red Sox. The outcome could hinge on whether Bennett’s ability to locate his fastball and generate weak contact can neutralize Alvarez’s potent bat, or if Burrows can continue to exploit the Red Sox’s recent struggles against his pitching.