Final: Cardinals 11, Red Sox 2 - Sox bullpen implodes

The Red Sox will continue their interleague series with the Cardinals on Saturday with a matchup on national TV. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. Follow along for updates from Saturday’s game.

WHO: Red Sox (35-30) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (37-29)
WHEN: 7:15 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Kutter Crawford (1-1, 5.74 ERA) vs. RHP Dakota Hudson (4-3, 3.29 ERA)
TV/RADIO: FOX; WEEI-FM 93.7

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Duran CF
Devers 3B
Martinez DH
Bogaerts SS
Story 2B
Cordero LF
Dalbec 1B
Bradley Jr. RF
Plawecki C

CARDINALS

Edman SS
Donovan 2B
Goldschmidt 1B
Arenado 3B
Gorman DH
O'Neil LF
Carlson RF
Bader CF
Knizner C

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WHAT'S UP:

The Red Sox have won 4 of their last 5 games...They are a season-high-tying 5 games above .500. The Sox are 12-3 (.800) in June, the 2nd-best record in the AL and 4th-best in the majors: ATL (.993, 14-1), NYY (.933, 14-1), PHI (.875, 14-2). The Sox are out-scoring their opponents 74-36 in June. They are in a stretch of 25 games in 27 days from 6/3-29 (11-3 so far), including 19 in 20 days from 6/3-22. With a win against the Cardinals either tonight or tomorrow, the Red Sox would clinch their 5th consecutive series win: at OAK (3-0), at LAA (3-1), at SEA (2-1), vs. OAK (2-1), vs. STL (1-0 so far). The Sox would also improve to 9-1-2 in their last 12 series, after going 1-7-1 through their first 9 series. TURNING POINT: The Red Sox were 10-19 after getting swept by CWS from 5/6-8...They are 25-11 (.694) since 5/10, trailing only the Yankees for MLB’s best record (28-8, .778). Since 5/10, the Sox lead MLB in runs (214), AVG (.282), OBP (.350), OPS (.822), XBH (146), doubles (96), and total bases (602), and rank 2nd in run differential (+77)...They also rank 2nd in SLG (.472). : 8 of the Red Sox’ last 11 games have been decided by 2 runs or fewer, including 7 by 1 run. The Sox are 8-5 in their last 13 games decided by 1 or 2 runs, including 6-2 in their last 8...They began the season 6-12 in their first 18 decided by 1 or 2 runs. The Red Sox have won each of their last 5 games against the Cardinals and 6 of the last 7. Prior to the current streak, the Red Sox had never won consecutive games vs. STL during the regular season. The Red Sox and Cardinals have also faced off in the World Series 4 times...St. Louis won 7-game series in 1946 and 1967...Boston broke an 86-year championship drought with a 4-game sweep in 2004 and won in 6 games in 2013.

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