Jake Bennett starts as Sox chase franchise win streak
Jake Bennett starts Game 1 of Wednesday's Fenway doubleheader for the Boston Red Sox against the Baltimore Orioles at 1:35 p.m. ET. The left-hander has not allowed a run over 13 innings in his last two starts, putting Boston in position to pursue a franchise-record winning streak with a sweep.
Key Takeaways
- Jake Bennett is set to start Game 1 of Wednesday's day-night doubleheader against Baltimore.
- First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET at Fenway Park on NESN.
- Bennett has posted back-to-back scoreless outings totaling 13 innings, including six shutout frames versus the Rays.
- A Red Sox sweep would put Boston in position to break a franchise-record winning streak after Tuesday's rainout.
- The Orioles counter with Dean Kremer, who owns a 4.15 ERA in his sixth start of the season.
Why does Jake Bennett's start matter right now?
Boston enters Wednesday still riding a hot stretch that survived a Tuesday rainout. According to Yahoo Sports, the Red Sox could break a franchise-record winning streak if they sweep the day-night twin bill at Fenway.
That puts extra weight on the Game 1 assignment for Jake Bennett, who was already the club's original scheduled starter Wednesday. The series also carries sweep stakes: Boston is playing for a fifth consecutive series sweep after ending Baltimore's seven-game winning streak with Monday's dramatic win.
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How has Jake Bennett pitched lately?
The left-hander arrives in strong form. He has not allowed a run over 13 innings in his previous two starts and opened last Friday's doubleheader against the Rays with a 10-0 Boston win.
BaseballHQ noted that Bennett threw six shutout innings with three strikeouts in that Rays outing, locking in back-to-back scoreless starts. Over his last six starts, he has allowed two earned runs or fewer for a 1.17 ERA and an 18.8% K-BB rate.
Over the past month, those numbers sharpen further: a 0.82 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and a 19% hit rate as he strings together quality starts. That recent run is why fantasy and matchup desks are highlighting Wednesday's assignment.
Who starts opposite Jake Bennett in Game 1?
Baltimore is expected to send Dean Kremer to the mound. Kremer is making just his sixth start of the season with a 4.15 ERA after missing nearly three months with a right quadriceps strain.
FantasyPros reported that Bennett will handle Game 1, while Boston's Game 2 starter remains TBD. Reporting around the clubhouse has floated Ranger Suarez as a possible Game 2 option, though that remains unconfirmed.
With first pitch at 1:35 p.m. ET and NESN on the call, Wednesday's opener gives Jake Bennett another high-leverage look as the Red Sox chase history against a division rival.