The Los Angeles Dodgers took the opening game from the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, thanks in part to a pair of New England natives pitching for them.
Emmet Sheehan grew up in Connecticut after moving from New York at age 5, and Ben Casparius is also from Connecticut, having lived their the majority of his life besides a few years in college and beginning professional baseball.
They were both about two hours away from Fenway Park during their childhoods, and for Casparius, he even had the opportunity to play at the Red Sox home stadium during high school, but as an infielder.
After Sheehan pitched five innings with just two runs allowed, it was Casparius who ended up earning the save. It marked the first of his career, and he received the ball from it that he’s going to frame.
Growing up in the area, Casparius also had a lot of friends and family at the stadium, so pitching at Fenway Park for the first time and closing out the game was a special opportunity for him, via SportsNet LA:
“It was pretty cool. Especially to do it behind Emmet, we kind of talked about hopefully getting into the same game. So it was special and a great way to start the road trip.”
The outing also came after Casparius had the worst game of his career. Against the Minnesota Twins at Dodger Stadium, Casparius faced four hitters without recording an out and walked three of them.
His final line had him giving up three earned runs, and to add injury to insult, Casparius exited the game with right leg cramps.
The 26-year-old used the appearance against the Red Sox as a confidence booster after that outing to forget, and also showed he’s healthy and past the cramping issue:
“For sure. A tough month, but I appreciate the coaching staff kind of putting me right back into the fire like that. I felt good coming off the last couple of days, so just to get that one under my belt felt great.”
The confidence has been needed as Casparius has struggled overall recently. Even before that game against the Twins, he raised his ERA from 2.54 on June 3 to 4.64 on July 19, and then to 5.06 after that outing.
With a need for right-handed relief help, the Dodgers would greatly benefit from Casparius getting back on track, and he could end up being one of the solutions to their bullpen issues.
Dodgers scouting Red Sox farm system
The Dodgers are expected to be active at the MLB trade deadline, and all signs point to them addressing their bullpen.
There’s also some belief the Dodgers may look to acquire a position player who could provide a boost to their slumping lineup.
Meanwhile, they have scouted prospects Franklin Arias and Brandon Clarke, and it’s possible the Dodgers scouting the Red Sox farm system is connected to a potential Dalton Rushing trade.
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