PORCELLO, AKA THE COOLER, BETTER BE ON A SHORT LEASH

This better be the length of Porcello's leash tonight

With a win tonight the Red Sox can finally get a four game winning streak under their belts.  Of course that means that "The Cooler", Rick Porcello , can't give the game away in the top of the first. 

 
While the Red Sox starting pitcher has had a rough season and is still trending downward, Miami's starter Tom Kohler is having a career year. Additionally, Kohler is riding a bit of a hot streak as he has only given up 4 runs over his last 3 starts. If the Red Sox want to see their streak hit 4 games tonight, Farrell is going to need to have an all hands on deck approach before the first pitch is even thrown. With an off day tomorrow and the Yankees coming to town this weekend, this is definitely not a game that should be used to get Porcello going.

Although Koehler has been in the big leagues for three seasons, only four of the current Red Sox have ever seen him.  As a group they are hitting .143 with their only extra base hit being a double by Hanley Ramirez.   Of course with a sample size of only 21 plate appearances, if the Red Sox bats are clicking against the righty today, that group batting average may change in a hurry.

Of course if Farrell tries to let Porcello figure things out on the mound today, a good day by the Red Sox offense may be futile.