The 2026 Red Sox Hall of Fame class will be honored during pregame ceremonies. The group includes Johnny Damon, Jon Lester, Mike Timlin, and the late Sherm Feller, the longtime public address announcer. Bill Mueller’s home run on July 24, 2004 will be honored as this year’s “Memorable Moment.” Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:40 p.m.
Thursday’s game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Here is a preview.
RAYS (24-12): Díaz DH, Vilade LF, Caminero 3B, Aranda 1B, DeLuca RF, Williamson 2B, Fortes C, Mullins CF, Walls SS.
Pitching: RHP Griffin Jax (1-2, 5.14 ERA)
RED SOX (16-21): Duran LF, Contreras 1B, Abreu RF, Story SS, Yoshida DH, Rafaela CF, Mayer 2B, Wong C, Durbin 3B.
Pitching: LHP Jake Bennett (1-0, 1.80 ERA)
Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV, radio: ESPN, WEEI-FM 93.7
Rays vs. Bennett: Has not faced any Tampa Bay batters
Red Sox vs. Jax: Wilyer Abreu 2-5, Willson Contreras 2-2, Jarren Duran 1-4, Isiah Kiner-Falefa 1-2, Andruw Monasterio 0-1, Carlos Narváez 0-1, Trevor Story 1-4, Connor Wong 0-2
Stat of the day: Wednesday night’s win was just the third time in franchise history the Red Sox won a nine-inning game when they struck out at least 15 times and had four or fewer hits.
Notes: Bennett won his first start, holding the Astros to a solo home run and stranding six of seven baserunners across five innings in a 3-1 win last Friday. … That game marked Chad Tracy’s Fenway debut as interim manager. “There’s comfort with that for me, for sure, because I know the kid,” Tracy said of Bennett, who also began the season at Triple-A Worcester. “I know him better than anybody here as far as watching him and what he’s capable of doing.” … The Red Sox have allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine of their last 11 games. … The Rays are riding six-game winning streak after posting consecutive three-game sweeps at home over the Giants and Blue Jays. At 24-12, they are just a ½ game behind the Yankees in the division and have the second best record in the AL. … Jax is 0-1 with a 7.27 ERA in 14 career appearances (one start) against the Red Sox. … After allowing 11 runs (eight earned) in 11 relief appearances to start the season, Jax has tossed five innings of shutout, two-hit ball over two starts.
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