Red Sox vs. Reds on June 30: Ace Garrett Crochet faces rookie Chase Burns. Can Wilyer Abreu and Boston's young bats stay hot and support their ace at Fenway?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
After a much-needed offensive explosion snapped a brutal six-game skid, the Boston Red Sox are looking to prove it wasn't a fluke. The challenge begins tonight at Fenway Park against the Cincinnati Reds, in a game that puts the team's 'future is now' mantra squarely to the test. With ace Garrett Crochet on the mound, the Sox have their best foot forward, but all eyes will be on a young lineup still trying to find its footing in the post-Devers era.
The Red Sox farm system remains the best in baseball, according to both FanGraphs and Baseball America.
Tonight's series opener presents a fascinating pitching duel. For the Red Sox, it's ace Garrett Crochet (7-4, 2.06 ERA) taking the ball, a near-automatic source of confidence for a team needing stability. On the other side, the Reds will send rookie right-hander Chase Burns (0-0, 5.40 ERA) to the hill. On paper, it's a massive advantage for Boston. The question, as it has been all month, is whether the offense can provide support. The recent 15-1 drubbing of the Blue Jays, powered by Wilyer Abreu's four-RBI night, was a breath of fresh air. Now, Abreu (team-leading 14 HR) and the rest of the lineup need to show they can sustain that energy against a Reds team that, interestingly, sports the exact same .248 team batting average.
The offensive inconsistency is understandable when you look at who is being asked to carry the load. While the farm system is universally lauded as the best in baseball, the transition to the majors has been rocky for its crown jewels. Roman Anthony, despite his immense potential, is hitting just .114 in his first 15 games. Marcelo Mayer (.208 in 27 games) and Kristian Campbell (.223 in 67 games) have also shown flashes mixed with struggles. These aren't signs of failure, but rather the typical growing pains for young players thrust into the spotlight, a necessity since the June 15 trade of Rafael Devers and injuries to key veterans.
The pressure on the youngsters should ease soon. The Red Sox are eagerly awaiting the July return of veterans Alex Bregman and Masataka Yoshida from the injured list. Their bats have been sorely missed, and their presence in the lineup will not only add production but also take the heat off players like Abreu and Anthony. For now, with no major trades or transactions on the immediate horizon, the team is committed to weathering this storm with the players they have. The hope is that the kids can hold down the fort just a little while longer until the cavalry arrives.
Tonight's game against the Reds is more than just the start of a new series; it's a microcosm of the 2025 Red Sox season. It's about elite pitching trying to carry a young, developing offense. It's about surviving the present while dreaming of a future powered by the best farm system in the game. A win tonight would build crucial momentum, but the real victory this month will be the continued growth of the next great Red Sox core.
