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Red Sox Start Second Half Without Contreras, Crochet Returns

7/18/2026

50 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Red Sox opened the second half on July 17 with a doubleheader versus the Rays.
Alec Gamboa was the 27th man and posted a 3.60 ERA in five innings.
Willson Contreras sat out Game 1 due to a five-game suspension.
Garrett Crochet missed 82 days with an injury and could add a club option after 120 IL days.
Boston is 17-27 at home, 29-21 on the road, with a +27 run differential.

History

Historical Context

After the 1994-95 MLB strike—triggered on Aug 12 1994, canceling 948 games and the World Series and costing owners about $580 million—teams learned that labor disputes could cripple revenue and force roster improvisation. That legacy resurfaces when the Boston Red Sox fielded Alec Gamboa in a July 17 doubleheader versus the Tampa Bay Rays while Willson Contreras served a five-game suspension, echoing past pressures on staffing and finances.

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Story summary

Red Sox opened the second half on July 17 with a doubleheader versus the Rays.
Alec Gamboa was the 27th man and posted a 3.60 ERA in five innings.
Willson Contreras sat out Game 1 due to a five-game suspension.
Garrett Crochet missed 82 days with an injury and could add a club option after 120 IL days.
Boston is 17-27 at home, 29-21 on the road, with a +27 run differential.

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