Bennett to start second half for Red Sox

Bennett’s weakest showing in over a month didn’t prevent him from winning a fifth straight start. He gave up nine hits, including a Christian Encarnacion-Strand homer, but he walked none and struck out four. Since getting his full-time rotation spot last month, he’s walked just five in 49 innings, with one of those being intentional. He’s 6-3 with a 2.58 ERA overall, and in spite of his below average 18.3 percent strikeout rate, he’s worth using in mixed leagues right now. He’ll pitch in Sacramento next week.

The Red Sox are going to wait until the last possible second before making a decision whether to activate Ranger Suarez (groin) for the nightcap at Fenway Park. Bennett was brilliant in his previous outing, tossing six scoreless innings to defeat the Rays last Friday. He’s a viable option in all fantasy leagues at this point.

Somehow, Bennett returned. He struck out just three, but allowed only one hit, a single to Junior Caminero, in a gem. Bafflingly, he only found four whiffs in 26 swings and his velocity was down a full tick. He also allowed only four hard-hit balls. Bennett has a 1.87 ERA over his last seven starts and should be viewed as a locked-in 12-team starter against the Orioles next week.

He struck out four. Bennett is on an excellent roll, having allowed a total of three runs over 27 innings in his last four starts. In eight starts overall, he’s 4-3 with a 2.64 ERA and a 35/8 K/BB in 47 2/3 innings. It’d be nice to see more strikeouts before giving him a stamp-of-approval as a full rest-of-season option, but he’s in a groove right now.

Bennett kept the Angels hitless until the fifth and scoreless until the eighth while striking out six and walking none. He’s been a really nice surprise in posting a 3.10 ERA and a 31/7 K/BB in 40 2/3 innings over seven starts, but it’d still be nice to see more than a 20 percent strikeout rate before recommending him. He’ll face the White Sox next.

The one run was a Max Schuemann homer off the yellow line on the right side of the Green Monster. A couple of inches to the left and it would have been a double instead. Bennett made it look pretty easy despite recording just three strikeouts today and got 19 outs on 87 pitches. He’s allowed a total of three runs over 17 2/3 innings in his last three starts, giving him a 3.27 ERA in six turns since his debut. He’ll face the Angels next week.

Bennett was outstanding at Coors Field, generating 15 whiffs and allowing three hard-hit balls. The four hits he gave up were all singles, and he walked none. It should have gotten him his second career victory in six starts, but his 2-0 lead was blown in the ninth. Bennett figures to start again at home against the Yankees on Saturday.

Bennett was fantastic here. Besides for a two-run third inning where he gave up a lead-off double and flare single that turned into two runs, was in complete control. His fastball command was excellent, living up at the letters and forcing six whiffs in the process. His changeup starred as well, forcing five whiffs of its own against the right-handed heavy Blue Jays’ lineup. A lanky lefty with great extension, an approach like this is the recipe for Bennett to find success. Next, we just need the Red Sox to leave him in past the 79 he was pulled with here. He’s scheduled for a difficult two-start week coming up though first in Coors Field against the Rockies and then back home against the Yankees.

Bennett pitched well, but things fell apart after a leadoff double in the fifth. A bunt single, an infield single and then an infield double followed; the last hit bounced off Bennett’s leg and into no man’s land on the left side of the infield. The Rays scored three of their four runs in the frame. Bennett struck out four and his only walk was intentional. He made a case for sticking around in Brayan Bello’s spot, but the Red Sox do have some flexibility here with Thursday and Monday as off days. If they stay in rotation, then Bennett would face the Blue Jays next Wednesday.

This move was expected after Brayan Bello was demoted to Triple-A, but it is now official. Bennett allowed five runs on 11 hits in 10 1/3 innings in his first two MLB starts, including allowing four runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Rays in his final outing before being demoted. He will get the Rays again on Wednesday and is not a recommended streamer. He will be on the 15-team radar in more advantageous matchups.