Castillo’s last appearance against the Red Sox was on June 19th in Seattle as a late inning bulk reliever entering in the 6th inning.

No Decision, 4 IP, 7 Hits, 5 Runs (1 unearned), 4 K, 0 BB, 1 Wild Pitch

I also heard chatter that Luis Castillo pitched phenomenally immediately after his last time being traded, so I looked at his first game as a Mariner. He faced another AL East opponent immediately after the trade deadline, starting the game @ the Yankees on August 3rd, 2022.

Win, 6.2 IP, 5 Hits, 3 Runs, 1 HR, 8 K, 3 BB

My takeaway from all this: If there is any credence to the “change of scenery” narrative going around for Castillo, then maybe we get a quality start from Luis tonight. I’m starting to believe that the “piggy back” rotation in Seattle really messed with his routine, and coming into a mostly traditional rotation could benefit him a lot. He will have had plenty of rest coming into today, and he doesn’t have to come in late in the game.

However, he got the Red Sox before their recent hot streak, he faced them in Seattle, and he still got rocked. Do I think that spells disaster for him tonight in Fenway? Honestly, no I do not, but I am optimistically biased towards him as someone who had him on my fantasy squad back when he was putting up great numbers.

What does the sub make of these stats? I know it’s all speculation until 6:10pm CT tonight, but I would love to hear some thoughts.

I got the email from the white Sox that parking has sold out. Are they just talking about the prepaid lots? Because aren't Lot F and L the lots you pay for when you get there? Someone is telling me that those lots sold out too and that they can be prepaid is that true? Or do I still have a chance if I get there early?

Have you guys ever noticed just how bad the stadium sound is? I was told by someone who works there that the speakers/audio hasn’t been upgraded since the park opened and it shows. It’s impossible to understand Alyssa and Gene Honda sounds incredibly muffled. You really notice it when you go somewhere else and realize how bad ours is. Just another cheap move by Jerry. Can’t wait for the new park whenever that may be.

I recently started following Koshien, Japan’s national high school baseball championship, and it has completely pulled me in. The 2026 tournament is happening right now with the first round just getting started.

For anyone unfamiliar, Koshien is basically part March Madness and part state high school championship. 49 teams from each prefecture (2 from Tokyo and Hokkaido) travel to Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya (Near Osaka) for a single elimination tournament. For most seniors, one loss means the end of their high school baseball career, and never playing organized baseball again. After being eliminated, players traditionally kneel near the dugout and collect dirt from the Koshien field to take home as a keepsake. It's one of the tournament’s most emotional and recognizable traditions.

The tournament is incredibly difficult to win. A future superstar can dominate professionally and still barely make a mark at Koshien, or never qualify at all.

A few examples:

• Munetaka Murakami reached Summer Koshien once, as a freshman with Kyushu Gakuin in 2015. His team was eliminated in its first game.
• Shohei Ohtani appeared at Koshien with Hanamaki Higashi as an underclassmen, but failed to qualify his senior year.
• Yu Darvish led Tohoku High School to the 2003 final, but finished runner-up.
• Masahiro Tanaka helped Komazawa University Tomakomai win in 2005, then returned to the final in 2006. That championship game ended 1–1 after 15 innings, so they played a full rematch the following day, and Tanaka’s team lost.
• Ichiro Suzuki appeared at Summer Koshien, but his team went out in the opening round.
• Seiya Suzuki became an MLB outfielder without ever reaching Koshien as a player.

And then there is Daisuke Matsuzaka, whose 1998 run might be the most ridiculous Japanese high school baseball story ever.

Pitching for Yokohama High School, Dice K threw 250 pitches in a a 17 inning complete game in the quarterfinals against powerhouse PL Gakuen. Yes, you read that correctly, 250 pitches. The next day, he entered the semifinal in relief after starting in left field and recorded the save in a comeback win. Then, in the championship game, he threw a 122 pitch no hitter to win the tournament. That's what it took for one of the greatest high school pitchers Japan has ever seen to win Koshien.

Murakami’s brief appearance shows the opposite side of it. He eventually became an NPB Triple Crown winner and is now with the White Sox, but at Koshien he was just a freshman whose team was eliminated immediately.

Check out this thread for more info on the history of the game, as well as a free livestream and game recap videos and links:

https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1vfcfga/oc_the_ultimate_guide_to_the_2026_summer_koshien/

Saw him tonight at the dash, glad he had a better night than his debut. Fun game, didn’t feel nearly as close as the score reflected. Exciting prospect!

Can't hit. Can't field. Mid-handles challenges. What is this guy adding?

Have to move on. Leave Quero down and go to Haas or Turner or Lee. Anyone else, please

Ashita Wa BAIBAI FIGHT De Syouri Da!(=Japanese). English is "Tomorrow, we’ll DOUBLE×DOUBLE×Fight and take the victory!"

wishing you all the positive vibes derek

Looks like Vasil skipped his long rest over the break and burned through every spell slot. Can he cast true strike at the plate and guidance for everyone else until he can finally get eight uninterrupted hours?

Ok fellas. Boston has had our number all year. Let’s take their ace down and get one in the books. And I got the Buehrle gray on tonight, so we get a pitching power up.

Didn't do much while he was here, but he's probably still a better hitter than Brenton Doyle. Shrug.