The WooSox return to Polar Park - here's what to expect in the six-game homestand
Jim Wilson
The Worcester Red Sox return home on Tuesday after spending a rainy week in Buffalo following a three-game series against Syracuse to open the season at Polar Park.
Polar Park certainly wasn't quiet over the road trip, as the field hosted a high school baseball tripleheader featuring five Worcester Public Schools teams and also Worcester Academy.
Worcester will host the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians for six games, starting at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday. If you're planning on taking in a game at Polar Park this week, here's what to expect.
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What happened in Buffalo?
The WooSox won three of five games in Buffalo following postponements due to weather and field conditions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Worcester swept a doubleheader against the Bisons on Friday, rallying in both games to take a 3-1 lead in the opener and a 9-5 win in the nightcap.
Worcester matched a club record with 18 hits in a 13-4 win over Buffalo on Saturday, but the lumber fell silent on Sunday as the Bisons responded by limiting the WooSox to just seven hits over two days as Buffalo took a pair of 2-1 wins.
Columbus comes to town
This will be the first time the Clippers have faced the WooSox in their Worcester form, and the teams will meet in the first extended homestand of the season for the WooSox. The teams last faced each other on August 8, 2019, when Ryan Brasier pitched the Pawtucket Red Sox past the Clippers in Ohio, 4-3.
Bello on the bump for WooSox
Brayan Bello, whom fans remember as one of the top prospects in the Red Sox system that spent most of last season in Worcester, returns to Polar Park on Tuesday.
Bello is expected to work six innings on Tuesday as he becomes the third Boston Red Sox pitcher to make a rehab start this season for the WooSox. Bello is recovering from right elbow inflammation that limited his spring training workload to just two innings.
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Bello went 2-8 with a 4.71 ERA in 11 starts (13 appearances) for Boston last year. He turned the corner down the stretch, posting a 3.18 ERA in his final 10 outings and a 1.65 ERA in five September starts. Bello was promoted to Worcester last May after going 4-2 with a 1.69 ERA in seven games with Double-A Portland.
Bello shined in Worcester, going 6-2 with a 2.76 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) for the WooSox. Red Sox fans are excited to see him get healthy, especially after an offseason training regimin that was overseen by Red Sox legend and Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez in their native Dominican Republic.
Bello will face southpaw Logan Allen (0-0, 0.00) on Tuesday.
Worcester will send Bryan Mata (0-0, 2.45) to the mound on Wednesday, while southpaws Chris Murphy (0-0, 5.40), Brandon Walter (0-1, 4.82) and Matt Dermody (1-0, 0.00) will make starts in the following game, with Sunday's starter to be determined.
Plenty of promotions on tap
Polar Park will have plenty going on off the field and in the stands during the week.
- The WooSox will host the first-ever Taco & Tequila Tuesday event, where fans can get three tacos and a margarita for $12 at the Taste of Worcester on Summit Street behind centerfield.
- Polar Park goes to the dogs on Wednesday, as fans can celebrate Woof Woof Wednesday by bringing their furry friends to the field in the seating bowl. The team will also host First Responder Wednesday, where first responders can get four free tickets to sit on the berm after showing their credentials.
- Town Takeover also is held for the first time this season, as the town of Spencer will be honored on Wednesday.
- Former Red Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera will be at Polar Park on Thursday, and fans can help the former 2004 World Series champion celebrate Throwback Thursday and WooU Night, which celebrates the area's college students.
- Fireworks return to Polar Park on Friday as the team will wear their popular Los Wepas de Worcester uniforms and host a pregame ceremony honoring the cultures of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
- Saturday the WooSox will celebrate Jackie Robinson Day and host a sunset catch on the field as well as a pre-game parade of dogs that were brought to the field as part of the Bark in the Park event.
- The WooSox will wear uniforms inspired by Marvel's Black Panther on Sunday as part of Marvel Super Hero Day. Young fans can take the field with the WooSox and receive an autographed baseball and run the bases.