A Peculiar Left Side Story in Boston
Sports Illustrated • • sports
Key Points:
- The Boston Red Sox currently have two left-handed rookie pitchers aged 25 or under, Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett, a rare occurrence last seen in 1949 with Mickey McDermott and Chuck Stobbs.
- Both Tolle and Bennett share similar pitching traits, including being tall lefties with elite extension, fitting the Red Sox's preferred pitcher profile; they have been heavily utilized, often pitching on short rest.
- With several starts remaining and the postseason approaching, the Red Sox need to manage Tolle and Bennett's workload carefully to prevent fatigue.
- Oakland Athletics’ shortstop Jacob Wilson set a new record by playing 111 consecutive games without an error, surpassing Mike Bordick’s previous mark.
- Wilson’s defensive improvement is notable, with advanced metrics showing a jump from below-average to elite defense, attributed to his excellent footwork, positioning, and strong arm.
