The Boston Red Sox enter their upcoming series against the St. Louis Cardinals with renewed confidence, having secured back-to-back victories over the Milwaukee Brewers. This recent success, largely attributed to impressive pitching performances, positions them favorably as they face another National League Central contender. The Cardinals, however, are also coming off a strong showing, setting the stage for a compelling three-game matchup.
Boston's recent wins were spearheaded by stellar pitching. Left-hander Garrett Crochet and right-hander Sonny Gray each delivered 6 1/3 innings, leading to 3-2 and 5-0 decisions, respectively. Manager Alex Cora is now looking to southpaw Connelly Early, who boasts a 0-0 record and a 2.89 ERA, to maintain this positive trajectory. Cora has emphasized the importance of pitching for the team's postseason aspirations, stating, "We will pitch. We're going to be better... And for this team to make it to October, we have to pitch. And we will."
Despite the Red Sox losing his initial two starts of the 2026 season by identical 3-2 scores, Early has demonstrated his capabilities, building on a promising rookie season. The 24-year-old has conceded only three runs and recorded ten strikeouts across 9 1/3 innings. This includes a four-inning, two-run performance in his recent outing against the San Diego Padres. Towards the end of the previous season, Early posted a 1-2 record with a 2.33 ERA and an impressive 29 strikeouts over 19 1/3 innings in four starts. Cora has praised Early's "stuff-wise" excellence and his ability to manage pressure situations, noting his continuous improvement.
Echoing the impact of Gray following Crochet, Early is expected to help the Red Sox extend their momentum from their first series win. Other positive indicators include Wilyer Abreu's strong start to the season, maintaining a .383 batting average with a 2-for-4 performance, and Trevor Story's resurgence. Story overcame an 0-for-16 slump with a four-game hitting streak, including three consecutive multi-RBI games. Catcher Carlos Narvaez encapsulated the team's forward-looking mindset: "(The slow start is) already in the past. We've got to move forward... We won the series. That's all that matters now. We've got six on the road."
Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals return home with their own surge of momentum, following a 7-6, 10-inning victory and a decisive 6-1 win against the Washington Nationals. A standout performer for the Cardinals has been 23-year-old outfielder Jordan Walker, who homered in all three games against Washington and in four of the last five, accumulating 12 RBI and a 1.049 OPS for the season. Walker expressed his unwavering confidence, crediting his sustained performance to continuous work with his teammates.
Beyond Walker's exceptional form, Alec Burleson contributed significantly with a 3-for-4 performance and three RBI. Starting pitcher Michael McGreevy (1-1) also delivered six strong innings, securing Wednesday's victory. This marked only the second of St. Louis's seven wins that did not necessitate a comeback effort. McGreevy lauded the team's completeness, highlighting their strong defense and potent offense. Manager Oliver Marmol echoed this sentiment, expressing pride in the team's consistent style of play. However, the Cardinals have a notable concern in Dustin May (0-2, 15.95), who has struggled, allowing 13 runs on 17 hits in just 7 1/3 innings. May, who made six appearances for the Red Sox last season, will face his former team, having suffered a five-inning loss against them previously.
The Red Sox and Cardinals are both entering this series with considerable recent success and key players performing at a high level. Boston's pitching staff, particularly with Connelly Early's strong showing, looks to be a formidable force, while the Cardinals' offensive power, exemplified by Jordan Walker's hot streak, promises an exciting and competitive matchup. The series will be a test of sustained momentum for both teams as they aim to continue their upward trajectories in the season.
