J.P. Long

Senior Writer & Media Relations Manager @SamaritansHope. Amherst College (2006-12), Cincinnati Reds (2013), New York Yankees (2014), Boston Red Sox (2015-2024).

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

Taking a step away from baseball today.

I’d like to share a personal story, to help bring awareness to National Suicide Prevention Week.

https://t.co/DHfB6f30Y2

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

The Sox’ starting pitcher is 23 and their leadoff hitter is 22.

Prior to this year, no AL team had ever begun a playoff run with a starting pitcher and leadoff hitter who are both under 24.

(The White Sox are also doing this today.)

2 NL teams have done it: 1986 NYM, 2024 ATL.

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

In Red Sox Postseason history…

Roman Anthony would be the youngest player ever to bat leadoff (current: Dwight Evans)

Aroldis Chapman would be the oldest pitcher to record a save (current: Koji Uehara)

Trevor Story would be the oldest player to play SS (current: Alex Cora)

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

Jarren Duran (2024, ’26) joins Mookie Betts (2016, ’17, ’18) and Jackie Jensen (1954, ’59) as the only Red Sox to record multiple 20-HR/20-SB seasons.

Jarren and Mookie are the only Red Sox ever to record 3 consecutive seasons of at least 15 HR and 20 steals.

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

At 23 years old, Payton Tolle could become the youngest pitcher to start Game 1 or Game 2 of a Postseason series for the Red Sox since Babe Ruth (1918 World Series Game 1).

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

Alex was the best. Always a breath of fresh air in the office and around the ballpark. Even during the most stressful times of the season, you always felt better after talking to him. Just a genuinely good, kind person who will be missed.

[Red Sox @RedSox]

Alex was an integral member of our baseball operations for over a decade, and forever a part of our Red Sox family.

We are absolutely heartbroken by this news and send our love to Alex’s family. ❤️

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

Since the All-Star break, 6 different Red Sox have hit a go-ahead HR in the 8th inning or later:

Durbin 7/20 vs. BAL – 8th

Monasterio 7/29 at ATH – 10th

Contreras 7/30 at ATH – 8th

Duran 8/25 at MIA – 11th

Sogard 9/3 at BAL – 8th

Story 9/17 at TEX – 8th

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

Number of games with more than 10 strikeouts and fewer than 5 baserunners allowed, at the age of 23 or younger:

Payton Tolle - 3

All other pitchers in Red Sox history combined - 3

(Smoky Joe Wood 2, Roger Clemens 1)

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

Since the All-Star break, 5 different Red Sox have hit a go-ahead HR in the 8th inning or later:

Caleb Durbin 7/20 vs. BAL – 8th

Andruw Monasterio 7/29 at ATH – 10th

Willson Contreras 7/30 at ATH – 8th

Jarren Duran 8/25 at MIA – 11th

Nick Sogard 9/3 at BAL – 8th

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

Red Sox with an OPS of at least 1.950 over an 8-game span:

Mickey Gasper (2026)
HOF Ted Williams (1941, ‘57)
HOF Bobby Doerr (1950)
HOF Jimmie Foxx (1937)

Min. 25 PA

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

The Red Sox are 8-3 since their 5-game losing streak and 40-13 since June 25. (40-13 is a 122-40 pace.)

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

Brayan Bello's 12 relief appearances (0.99 ERA):

7.0 IP, 1 ER
6.1 IP, 1 ER
5.0 IP, 0 ER
7.0 IP, 0 ER
4.1 IP, 1 ER
5.1 IP, 0 ER
4.0 IP, 0 ER
3.0 IP, 0 ER
2.0 IP, 0 ER
4.0 IP, 1 ER
4.2 IP, 1 ER
2.0 IP, 1 ER

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

Sonny Gray (2026) and Tim Wakefield (1995) are the only pitchers in the last 50 years to win at least 16 of their first 24 starts with the Red Sox.

Gray: 16-3, 2.79 ERA

Wakefield: 16-5, 2.71 ERA

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

First 23 starts as a member of the Red Sox:

Pedro Martinez (1998): 15-3, 2.64 ERA

Sonny Gray (2026): 15-3, 2.65 ERA

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

Red Sox:

Last 9 games: 9-0 (best in MLB)

Last 20 games: 17-3 (best in MLB)

Last 30 games: 27-3 (best in MLB)

Last 40 games: 33-7 (best in MLB)

Last 50 games: 37-13 (best in MLB)

Last 60 games: 41-19 (best in MLB)

Last 70 games: 45-25 (best in MLB)

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

The Red Sox have homered in 11 consecutive games, their longest streak of the season.

During their 27-3 stretch, they lead the American League in HR (45).

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

The Red Sox have won their last 9 games, after winning 15 straight in July.

No Red Sox team has ever had multiple winning streaks of 10+ games in a season.

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

The 2026 Red Sox are only the 10th team since 1900 with 27+ wins over a 30-game stretch:

2026 BOS
2017 CLE
1977 KC
1953 NYY
1947 NYY
1941 NYY
1936 NYG
1916 NYG
1909 PIT
1906 CHC

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

This is the first time since 2016 the Red Sox have scored 12+ runs in consecutive games (3 straight vs. OAK from May 9-11).

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

Jarren Duran (2024-26) joins Mookie Betts (2015-19) as the only Red Sox ever to record more than 15 HR and more than 15 steals in 3 consecutive seasons.

[J.P. Long @SoxNotes]

Payton Tolle and Roger Clemens are the only Red Sox pitchers ever to record 12+ strikeouts and 0 walks in a game at the age of 23 or younger.

Tolle – tonight (14 K)
Clemens – 8/21/84 vs. KC (15 K)
Clemens – 4/29/86 vs. SEA (20 K)