Red Sox aim for franchise record 15th consecutive win in doubleheader opener

By James Carter — 22 July 2026 — 4 min read

Red Sox seek historic win

The Boston Red Sox are set to play a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles today, with the potential to achieve a franchise record for consecutive wins. Following a rainout on Tuesday, Game 1 is scheduled to begin at 1:35 p.m. ET. If the Red Sox secure a victory in the afternoon game, they will tie the franchise record of 15 consecutive wins, a mark previously set by the 1946 team.

Should the Red Sox sweep the doubleheader, they would establish a new franchise record with 16 straight victories. This follows their recent 14th consecutive win against the Orioles, a 6-5 rally on Monday night, decided by Caleb Durbin’s eighth-inning home run. That win also ended the Orioles’ own seven-game winning streak.

Game 1 lineups and pitching

For Game 1, the Red Sox will feature Masataka Yoshida as the designated hitter in the leadoff spot. The rest of their lineup includes Ceddanne Rafaela in center field, Wilyer Abreu in right field, and Willson Contreras at first base. Caleb Durbin will play third base, Romy Gonzalez second base, Jarren Duran left field, Connor Wong catcher, and Tsung-Che Cheng shortstop.

Rookie left-hander Jake Bennett is slated to start for the Red Sox in Game 1. Bennett, who was traded to the Red Sox in December 2025, has demonstrated strong form recently. He has a 2.35 ERA and a 0.876 WHIP across nine starts. In his last five starts since June 22, he has recorded a 4-0 record with a 0.82 ERA, along with a 25-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 33 innings pitched. He has also made two consecutive starts without allowing any runs, covering a combined 13 innings.

The Orioles’ lineup for Game 1 includes Taylor Ward in left field, Pete Alonso at first base, and Gunnar Henderson at shortstop. Tyler O’Neill will play right field, Coby Mayo will serve as designated hitter, and Leody Taveras will be in center field. Christian Encarnacion-Strand is at third base, Jackson Holliday at second base, and Sam Huff at catcher.

Right-hander Dean Kremer will start for the Orioles in Game 1. Kremer holds a 4.15 ERA in five starts this season and has allowed six runs over nine innings in his last two appearances. Historically, Kremer has a 5.04 ERA in 10 starts against the Red Sox and a 6.28 ERA in six starts at Fenway Park. Some Red Sox hitters have found success against him, with Masataka Yoshida being 5-for-10 with a double, and Jarren Duran 5-for-11.

Doubleheader notes and Game 2 outlook

Samuel Basallo remains out of the Orioles’ lineup for Game 1 due to right shoulder soreness, and is considered day-to-day. Pete Alonso will bat second for the Orioles, and Tyler O’Neill will be the cleanup hitter. Coby Mayo continues as the designated hitter, with Christian Encarnacion-Strand at third base.

The Orioles have a 12-18 record in games started by left-handed pitchers. The Red Sox had initially planned to start left-hander Ranger Suárez on Tuesday after reinstating him from the injured list, but decided to give him an extra day. The plans shifted again due to the rainout.

The starter for Game 2 for the Red Sox is still to be determined, though there is a possibility that Ranger Suárez could make his return. Suárez is nearing his return from the injured list and has a 3.15 ERA this season in 17 starts. He has not pitched since July 5. Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso is 3-for-21 with two doubles, nine walks, and seven strikeouts against Suárez in his career.

For the Orioles, Kyle Bradish will take the mound in Game 2. This will be his first appearance since signing a five-year extension. Bradish has posted a 2.12 ERA in his last five starts. However, he has a career record of 1-6 with a 6.75 ERA and 1.432 WHIP in 10 starts against the Red Sox. In three starts at Fenway Park, he has a 13.50 ERA and 1.900 WHIP, having allowed 15 runs in 10 innings.

Both teams will be allowed a 27th player for Game 2 of the doubleheader. The Orioles have not yet announced their starting pitchers for the upcoming weekend series against the Braves at Camden Yards.

Source: masnsports.com