Red Sox Offense Has Golden Opportunity To Close Road Trip

The Boston Red Sox lineup has endured some ebbs and flows recently. A trip to Sacramento could be just what the doctor ordered.

After losing two of three games against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Red Sox will stay on the West Coast to face the Athletics. They’ll play three games at Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park, a temporary home while the A’s await their new Las Vegas stadium.

A’s pitchers haven’t enjoyed any home-field advantage at the smaller minor league ballpark. Their pitching staff enters Monday’s game with a collective 5.11 ERA at Sacramento.

There’s no Statcast data at Sutter Health Park to properly gauge its park factors compared to other MLB venues. A’s hitters haven’t experienced a massive boost, posting a .764 OPS at home and .749 OPS on the road with improved contact, but similar power.

Whether it’s a bandbox or poor pitching (or both), the Red Sox can capitalize on the American League West’s last-place squad.

Tuesday’s starter, Jeffrey Springs, has a 4.73 ERA at home compared to a 3.61 ERA on the road. And regardless of the location, an A’s bullpen that traded star closer Mason Miller at the deadline brandishes MLB’s fourth-worst ERA (4.81).

Wednesday’s probable starter, Mason Barnett, allowed five runs in his MLB debut at home on Aug. 30. Unfortunately, the Red Sox must first combat a streaking rookie before they can exploit these matchups.

Luis Morales takes the mound on Monday against Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet. The 22-year-old has allowed four runs in five starts, issuing 30 strikeouts to 10 walks.

Morales also had a 4.40 ERA in Triple-A before his promotion, so he could still pose an intriguing opponent for Boston’s lineup. The Red Sox have run hot and cold lately, scoring three runs or fewer in six of their last 11 games and tying the Washington Nationals with a .719 OPS over the last 30 days.

Monday’s game begins at 10:05 p.m. ET.