That offensive production the Boston Red Sox were lacking certainly disappeared on Tuesday as the team ended a seven-game losing streak with 18 hits and nine runs much to the thanks of Brock Holt and Mookie Betts. Now the series shifts back to Turner Field for the final two games of the series as the Braves hope a little home-field advantage gets them back on track.
The Red Sox were being outscored 47-28 during their losing streak, but broke out of their funk Tuesday. The highlight of the game was Holt hitting for the cycle, becoming the first Red Sox player to do so since John Valentin in 1996. Outside of Holt and Betts, four other players got at least two hits in the game as the production at the plate exploded. Health is helping Boston as the roster continues to improve. Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez are both back in the lineup which should help. Pedroia is currently batting .407 with 12 runs in his last 13 games while Holt is batting .390 over his last 11.
Boston will put Joe Kelly on the mound to keep momentum going as he is 2-4 with a 5.45 ERA on the year. He recently gave up four runs in six innings in a loss to Toronto while having a 7.61 ERA in his last five road starts. Kelly will not have to deal with Andrelton Simmons who is out with an injured hand. X-rays were negative on the shortstop, but the Braves intend on keeping him out as precaution after he got hit with a pitch.
Alex Wood will take the mound in hopes of performing better than Mike Foltynewicz and Julio Teheran did. Wood is trying to avoid a third straight loss while being 4-4 with a 3.56 ERA on the season. He is coming off rough outings against Pittsburgh and New York, giving up eight runs over 11 innings of play. He could find success against Boston. The Red Sox lineup is hitting just .179 against lefties. David Ortiz is batting 3 for 31 against them, but Pedroia is 10 for his last 24.
