Author: staff

Engstler, the tough-as-nails transfer from Syracuse, helped Louisville keep Boston from getting too comfortable in the paint while Olivia Cochran helped with the muscle. Physical play can come with a price, though, and with 4.2 seconds left in the third quarter Boston drew Engstler’s fourth foul on a putback layup and stretched the lead to 57-48 with the and-one free throw.

“Anytime people are mad about something the (Red Sox do), maybe not signing a certain player, there will be people saying, ‘Oh, they care more about the soccer team or the other teams they’re trying to buy,’ but I think it’s a minority,” he said. “I don’t think it’s really a big deal unless people are looking for something to complain about.”

Starting pitcher depth becomes more important, too, with Miley and Adbert Alzolay (right lat strain, 60-day IL) banged up. Right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. has pitched well in three Cactus League games and is positioned to be insurance at Triple A, potentially joining fellow nonroster invitee, right-hander Adrian Sampson, in the Iowa Cubs rotation. Leiter, who has a 1.35 ERA in 6⅔ innings, is scheduled to start Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels