Overview
- The Red Sox’s long hot run cooled with a 7-3 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday that ended a nine-game winning streak and followed an extended multi‑week surge that had dramatically improved their standing.
- A 13-inning game earlier in the week exhausted the relief corps when Boston used eight relievers who combined for roughly 166 pitches, creating immediate fatigue and limiting fresh arms for the days that followed.
- Boston made quick roster changes after the marathon game by optioning Greg Weissert and calling up left-hander Raymond Burgos, who then threw three scoreless innings and retired all nine batters he faced to provide short-term length.
- Injury management has become urgent as Garrett Crochet restarted a throwing program and the club has openly discussed using him out of the bullpen to speed his return rather than stretching him back into a long starting role.
- With the trade deadline passed and no off day until Aug. 20, the Red Sox are leaning on short-term fixes such as bullpen games, spot starters or minor-league call-ups to shield starters hitting career-high innings and keep the team competitive down the stretch.