The Boston Red Sox just wrapped the first half of the season at 46-48, an almost unbelievable record given they closed it out with a nine-game winning streak. That kind of run has turned what looked like a sure sell-off at the trade deadline into a genuine push to be buyers. And you know who is pushing hardest? Willson Contreras, who told the front office point blank he is not going anywhere, even with his no-trade clause.
Contreras Calls His Shot in Boston
This whole situation with Contreras is just wild. "They know how I feel," he said, making it clear he loves Boston, doesn't want to uproot his family again, and absolutely thrives on the challenge of trying to win there. With that kind of commitment from a guy holding all the cards, it's really up to players like Sonny Gray and Aroldis Chapman, along with the rest of the team, to force Craig Breslow's hand. Remember, the original plan for this season was always to compete, to win, to reach October. Patrick Sandoval, in his second start for the Sox after two years away, had a solid first outing, going 4.1 innings with one run and five strikeouts, which is huge with Ranger Suarez still on the IL. Sonny Gray also had a nice, restful All-Star Break, not even getting picked for the game, so you know he's ready to deal.Rays Pitching: From Stellar to Questionable (Just Ask Our Mariners)
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays, who were running wild in April and May, have definitely come back to earth. They had a .500 June, which included a three-game sweep of the Sox, but they are still 7-5 so far in July. And their pitching? It's a mixed bag. Griffin Jax started one of those June games, going 4.0 innings and giving up three runs. But since then, he's made nine starts of at least 5.0 innings, even hitting 6.0 innings on just 71 pitches. They're clearly working him along in a very specific way. Jake Bennett is coming off an excellent start, throwing 7.0 shutout innings against the White Sox with four strikeouts and only one walk. You really can't ask for more than that. But then there's Ian Seymour. His "experiment" as a starter hasn't exactly gone smoothly. After being a pure reliever and then an opener, he's made three straight starts. His last one? That was against *our* Seattle Mariners, where he got lit up for six runs in just 3.1 innings. Yikes! So when he faced Boston, allowing only one run, a homer by Marcelo Mayer, in 4.0 innings, it probably felt like a relief. Good to see Shane McClanahan back too, 17 starts into his return from a long absence. He was lights out last time against the Yankees, holding them scoreless over 6.1, and didn't allow a run to Kansas City the start before that. The Rays haven't announced a game two starter, hinting they might be pushing Payton Tolle for extra rest, with Eduardo Rivera and Brayan Bello also available after working well against the Mets. So, the Red Sox are looking to keep that winning energy going and avoid the trade deadline scramble that usually comes with being sellers. Can they really force Breslow's hand? We're about to find out. This series has some serious fireworks brewing, and it's gonna be a must-watch.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.