The Latest Breaking News from Matt Strahm

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The good news is that Taijuan Walker says he’s ready to give the Phillies some serious innings. The bad news? They’re probably going to need more than he can offer.

PHILADELPHIA — Relievers in the hot stove and oven mitts in hell. Some things are just easier to sell. Six weeks from now, the Phillies equipment truck will begin the long drive south to Clearwater, Fla. Following closely in the rearview mirror will be a storyline that’s as predictable as…

If one were making a guess on whether or not the Red Sox are a playoff team this year solely based on the decibel level of the “Yankees suck” chant on Sunday night, the answer would be unanimous.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The breaks seemed to be going against the Rays on Tuesday night.

Four game winning streak ends

BOSTON — The Red Sox continued to struggle against one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball, lost Xander Bogaerts to an injury and blew another late lead.

The Red Sox needed a pick-me-up in a big way on Wednesday night. Right now, there’s no one better to deliver on that than Alex Verdugo.

BOSTON — Trevor Story entered Tuesday so far down in the All-Star Game voting it’ll be a miracle to see him at Dodger Stadium on July 19.

If there was ever a must-win series in April, this weekend would qualify for the Red Sox.