Boston Red Sox
Masataka Yoshida and Caleb Durbin each had impactful days in different ways for Boston.
Masataka Yoshida got Boston off to a good start in its doubleheader Friday. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
The Red Sox continue to roll in July, finding both their 10th and 11th wins in a row on Friday in a doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Boston had no shortage of impactful plays in both matchups, but four players stuck out among the group as standouts on Friday night.
Here are the four Red Sox whose stock is on the rise after the pair of wins:
Masataka Yoshida
When Yoshida is hot, there are few people more fun to watch for the Red Sox. And he was red hot on Friday.
Yoshida was a big reason for Boston’s success in Game 1 against the Rays. He had three hits in that first matchup, including a home run and RBI.
Yoshida’s place in Boston’s lineup has been murky for the better part of two years. But he’s been consistent this season, and his output has forced the Red Sox to ride him as their primary designated hitter. He’s made up for Roman Anthony’s extended absence in a big way.
Caleb Durbin
Durbin’s day wasn’t nearly as flashy as Yoshida’s, but the third baseman continues to make solid contact in just about every outing for the last two months.
In his two games on Friday, Durbin went 5 for 7 from the plate with an RBI and two runs scored of his own. No home run shots, and not much in the way of driving his teammates home. But Durbin got on base enough to put a lot of pressure on Tampa Bay’s pitching staff.
After a down start to the year, Durbin has caught fire and transformed into one of the Red Sox’ most effective batters this season.
Jake Bennett
Boston suddenly has an abundance of great young starting pitchers at its disposal, and Bennett is the latest addition making an impact on the mound.
Bennett tossed 6 scoreless innings, only giving up one hit and one walk. He only struck out three batters, but his stuff was plenty effective in Game 1 on Friday.
And even more importantly, his outing combined with Boston’s offense was enough for the Red Sox to save the majority of their bullpen arms for Game 2, which they sorely needed.
Carlos Narvaez
The Red Sox split their catching duties between Narvaez and Connor Wong on Friday. The former proved much more effective against the Rays.
Narvaez went 3 for 4 from the plate with a home run and 3 RBIs in Game 1, finding his rhythm offensively in a big way. Wong, meanwhile, struggled to generate offense in Game 2, going 0 for 3.
Narvaez has taken a backseat to both Wong and Mickey Gasper this season at catcher. But performances like Friday’s should go a long way in improving his standings within the club.
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