Red Sox could turn to Brayan Bello again in crucial series against the AL-leading Tampa Bay Rays

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Red Sox could turn to Brayan Bello again in crucial series against the AL-leading Tampa Bay Rays originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Now in the “break” part of the All-Star Break, the Boston Red Sox have some time to plan out their next few series. While the next 10 games are at home, the first series will be the hardest, as it will be against a division rival and the AL’s best team, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Boston has a starting pitcher for the first game of the double header tomorrow, the third game, and the fourth game, but not the second. Most likely, it will be another bullpen game, giving the troubled Brayan Bello another chance to shine.

Bello did well as a reliever against the Mets​

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Due to the fact the Red Sox are down multiple starting pitchers, they were forced to make a bullpen game against the New York Mets. This led to a bunch of relievers being used up, and only a few available in the final game of the series to back up Payton Tolle.

So, Boston opted to bring in a long reliever, in the form of former starting pitcher Brayan Bello. Bello as a starter was awful, with a 10.35 ERA. However, as a reliever, he has a 0.91 ERA, which he showed off against New York.

In four and a third innings, Bello got five strikeouts, and only gave up one run on a solo homer from Francisco Lindor.

Tampa Bay is a whole different beast​

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Facing Tampa Bay will be different, though. Unlike the Mets, who are one of the worst teams in the NL, the Rays are leading the AL. Also unlike New York, Tampa Bay has multiple great hitters in Jonathan Aranda, Junior Caminero, and Yandy Diaz.

On top of that, Bello will have to duel Tampa’s pitching as well, which is a staff that rivals Boston’s. Basically, Bello better be ready to come play this weekend if needed.

Great rewards await Bello if he succeeds​

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© Jeff Curry-Imagn Images



If Bello can triumph against Tampa Bay when called upon, good things await him. He’ll have faced a tough lineup, and dueled with a top-tier rotation.

With that in mind, he could be the long reliever Boston needs in a pinch, and good have a spot in the bullpen for years to come. Hopefully, Boston gives him one more chance to shine, and he does in his new role.

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