Boston hopes to continue to push for a wild card when they meet Pittsburgh on Wednesday night at 7:05pmET.
The Red Sox won the opener on Tuesday 5-3 as Enrique Hernandez recorded an RBI in a four-run first-inning. Hernandez had missed 60 games with a right-hip flexor strain.
Veteran lefty Rich Hill takes the mound for the Red Sox against rookie Roansy Contreras.
Boston sits at 58-59, which places them four games out of the last wild card spot. They are playing better baseball as they've won four of their last five, including three of four at home against the stumbling Yankees. A win here in Pittsburgh gets them back to .500, but they need to start playing better at Fenway Park (29-30). Another issue for Boston has been their pitching, which ranks 25th in ERA (4.34) and 22nd in WHIP (1.31). The bullpen (4.42 ERA) has been a big part of the problem, though injuries to Chris Sale (finger) have not helped matters.
Thank you & goodnight. pic.twitter.com/Fq0sxRohNs
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 13, 2022
Speaking of injuries, 2B Trevor Story (wrist) hasn't played since July 12. He's hitting just .221 but has 15 homers and 58 RBIs. He's expected back in late August, while INF Xander Bogaerts (.303, 9 HR, 49 RBI)is questionable with a shin injury. He hasn't played since Aug. 14 against the Yankees.
Hill is 4-5 with a 4.75 ERA. At this point in his career at 42, they will take five innings. He's allowed eight runs over his last seven innings.