The Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox faced off again late Saturday afternoon for the second-to-last time this season and set up a battle for sole possession of the title “Third Best Team in the AL East”. Maybe more importantly, the Rays second consecutive win secured a series win and a chance for the Rays to finish 81-81 with a win on Sunday… because nothing would be more fitting.
Shane Baz made his 14th start of the season following a long journey back from multiple injuries and put a bow on his 2024 campaign. The young right-hander tossed six innings of two-run baseball. Baz struck out seven, walked one, and allowed just three hits. He earned the win, his fourth of the year and finished the year with a 3.06 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 79.1 innings. The Rays are sure to be excited about what he brings to the table in 2025.
Opposite Baz was Red Sox starter Kutter Crawford who did’t fare as well, exiting after only 4.1 innings. He surrendered six earned runs, five hits and walked four. The loss was his 16th of the year…