Red Sox at Padres
The Boston Red Sox face an uphill battle for the second American League wild card spot, but anything is possible if slugger J.D. Martinez can maintain his current pace. Martinez has been on an extended tear for the Red Sox, who continue their three-game series against the host San Diego Padres on Saturday.
Martinez went 3-for-4 with two home runs and a career-high seven RBIs in Friday’s 11-0 victory while Mookie Betts and Rafael Devers added three hits apiece for the Red Sox, who have beaten the Padres in six of their last seven meetings. Martinez is hitting .329 with 12 home runs and 34 RBIs in 39 games since the All-Star break, helping Boston move within 6 1/2 games of the second wild card - shared by the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians - with 32 games left. San Diego has struggled without star rookie Fernando Tatis Jr. (back) and could use a spark after scoring a total of four runs during their three-game losing streak. Manuel Margot had two of the club’s five hits on Friday, but rookie starter Chris Paddack was tagged for six runs in just 2 1/3 innings.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 6.69 ERA) vs. Padres RH Dinelson Lamet (2-2, 3.95)
Making his first start since April 17, Eovaldi allowed five runs on three hits while throwing 43 pitches over two innings against Baltimore last Sunday. The 29-year-old Texan is 4-3 with a 4.68 ERA in 28 appearances (16 starts) with Boston since being acquired from Tampa Bay on July 25, 2018. Manny Machado has one hit in 10 at-bats against Eovaldi, who owns a 1-2 record and 3.90 ERA in five career starts versus San Diego.
Lamet won his second straight decision last Saturday after giving up three runs with six strikeouts over six innings against Philadelphia. “He had good stuff,” Phillies outfielder Corey Dickerson told reporters. “He got it up there 97, 98 (mph) when he wanted it. Good breaking ball. Mixed it pretty well and he threw it for strikes.” The 27-year-old native of the Dominican Republic is 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA in six career interleague starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Red Sox have won 19 of their last 20 games when their starting pitcher throws six-plus innings and allows three earned runs or fewer.
2. San Diego RHP Garrett Richards (elbow) is expected to resume his minor league rehab assignment with High-A Lake Elsinore on Thursday.
3. Red Sox relief pitchers have allowed a total of three earned runs in 29 1/3 innings over the last seven games.