Brian Van Belle logs third-straight seven-inning start, conquers a 'boogeyman'
WORCESTER -- To say that Brian Van Belle has been the savior of the WooSox pitching staff this season is an understatement, according to his manager Chad Tracy.
But more than just saving the bullpen arms in Worcester, Van Belle has done something else this season: gone from someone who was a question to make it out of spring training to a legitimate starting or long relief option should the Red Sox be in need.
Advertisement
Van Belle transitioned to the bullpen for the bulk of the 2024 season and found a lot of success. From July to the end of the season, Van Belle pitched almost exclusively in relief and posted a 2.27 ERA, holding the opposition to a .230 batting average.
A big part of his success came from making arm slot changes while he was on the development list earlier in 2024.
'We were working on lowering the slot, putting a two-seam in his hand,' Tracy said. 'Let's create movement because he was way more over the top, just [throwing a] flat four-seam at 90, 89 miles an hour, and it wasn't working.'
The changes made a notable difference. Compare his numbers as a starter in 2024 to those when he's pitching in relief: an 8.05 ERA with 16 walks and 29 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings as a starter, compared to a 2.47 ERA with 14 walks and 54 strikeouts in 54 2/3 innings out of the bullpen.
Advertisement
But the needs of the WooSox dictated Van Belle's role this year, forcing him to move out of the space where he had success and back into the starting rotation. Tracy said that Van Belle had come to like the routine (or lack there of) when it comes to pitching in relief - 'they don't have much time to prepare for him, and he just pounds the zone' - and the idea of shifting back to starting wasn't the most appealing to Van Belle at first.
'The starter role was kind of the boogeyman for him for a while,' Tracy said. 'We had a lot of conversations with him leading into starting more, [telling him] it's not the starter role that was causing [the hard hits], it was your arsenal. You're more equipped with your arsenal to to handle it. You're better prepared. You have four pitches you can land in the zone whenever you want. You can use that really good changeup. And he's pitched really, really well for the last four starts.'
With another seven-inning, one-run outing on Wednesday, Van Belle has now gone six or more innings in four straight starts (and seven full in his last three, the only International League pitcher to accomplish that), allowing just five runs - and maybe more impressively, just one walk - over his last 29 innings of work. Home runs can be an issue for Van Belle occasionally, but they haven't hurt him over the past month as he's gone 5-0 since May 14 (one win was a shorter relief appearance behind Cooper Criswell).
'He was in a role at the beginning of the season where he wasn't even going to make it out of spring training, and we pretty adamantly fought for him as far as, like, this is what he can do in the different roles he can pitch in, the innings he can pitch and chew up because efficient he is,' Tracy said. 'And it's showing right now...every time we see him, here goes Van Belle, he throws six or seven innings and saves our bullpen.'
WooSox 9, Red Wings 1
Balls were flying out of Polar Park early and often during an early afternoon game on Wednesday.
Advertisement
Nick Sogard got a first-inning rally started with a single followed by a double from Jhostynxon Garcia, his third since joining the WooSox a couple of weeks ago. Nate Eaton drove them both in, and Vaughn Grissom continued the hit parade with a single and was driven in by Blaze Jordan, who doubled. Another double, this one from Ryan Noda, put two on for Nathan Hickey who delivered the big blow of the inning with a three-run home run, giving the WooSox a 7-0 lead with just one out in the first.
Jordan continued his good day in his second at-bat, sneaking one over the left field wall for his first Triple-A homer, coincidentally while his parents were being interviewed on NESN.
Grissom added to the lead with a solo home run of his own in the fifth, his fourth of the season.
Van Belle turned in another very good start, allowing just one run on five hits and striking out five and racking up 11 ground ball outs. Zach Penrod tossed his third straight scoreless outing since being activated from the injured list, going an inning and a third.
Notes
- With Blake Sabol having been designated for assignment last week and Yasmani Grandal being placed on the restricted list as he weighs retirement, the WooSox are suddenly pretty short-handed at catcher. Seby Zavala will get the bulk of the innings behind the plate, while Hickey will see more time at catcher, starting with catching Van Belle on Wednesday. Previously Hickey has only caught three games this season for Worcester, usually providing relief in the second game of a doubleheader.
What's Next
- The WooSox get back at it on Thursday night against the Red Wings with Isaac Coffey, who was promoted from Portland on Wednesday, getting the start.
Read the original article on MassLive.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
BetMGM Bonus Code WIREBG150: Score $150 Bonus for Devers-Red Sox Reunion, PGA, More
Just five days after the Boston Red Sox traded superstar Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants, they're back together tonight as the Red Sox open a three-game series in San Francisco. If you're thinking about wagering on this intriguing reunion — or anything else on the Major League Baseball schedule — then BetMGM has the way to play with the BetMGM bonus code WIREBG150 that gives you $150 in bonus bets just for winning a $10 first bet. Here's how WIREBG150 helps new bettors: If you're playing in Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or West Virginia, you'll collect three $50 bonus bets (plus your winnings) when you win your $10 first bet. Not to tell you how to play that first bet, but you should maximize your chances to win by finding a huge favorite and playing it on the moneyline. If you're playing in any other state, new bettors get to jump on the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE that guarantees you a protected first bet up to $1,500. For example: Let's say you play a first bet for $500 and it doesn't pan out. BetMGM has your back and will return that $500 to you as five $100 bonus bets. There aren't any bigger sportsbook promos out there. It was extremely weird to see Devers playing in a Giants jersey — and Red Sox fans probably didn't like hearing that Devers is willing to play first base or anywhere else for his new team. Imagine if Devers plays first base tonight against his former team! Check the odds on all Red Sox-Giants bets by downloading the BetMGM app, which one of the nation's best sports betting are plenty of other cool MLB matchups tonight. The National League East's top two teams — the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies — meet tonight in Philly and the hosts have ace Zack Wheeler on the mound. The suddenly struggling New York Yankees hope to get their offense going against the Baltimore Orioles — and they have Max Fried on the mound to make it easier to win with just a few runs. Ready to play on MLB, the PGA Tour, the Gold Cup, FIFA Club World Cup or anything else happening today? Then know it takes just two minutes to click a BET NOW button, answer a few security questions and activate either the BetMGM bonus code WIREBG150 or the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE. BetMGM Bonus Code Promos: Get $150 in Bonus Bets or $1500 First-Bet Offer If you enjoyed watching the U.S. Open last week, then you'll enjoy the Travelers Championship this weekend. It's the PGA Tour's final $20 million 'signature' event of the year, which means it has attracted most of the big names. Scottie Scheffler is the defending champ while Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and new U.S. Open champ J.J. Spaun are all in the field. Check BetMGM's updated golf odds to see how things are moving during today's second round at TPC River Highlands. Don't forget FIFA's Club World Cup and CONCACAF's Gold Cup are still in the middle of group play. MLS can earn a nice boost tonight in the Club World Cup when Los Angeles FC faces ES Tunis in Nashville. LAFC dropped a 2-0 decision to Chelsea in their opener. To take advantage of either the BetMGM bonus code WIREBG150 (which grants you $150 in bonus bets when you win a $10 first bet) or the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE (which guarantees you a protected first bet up to $1,500), click the nearest BET NOW button. You're moments away from enjoying one of these welcome offers. How to Sign Up for the BetMGM Bonus Code Offer If you're 21 or older (in most states) and in one of the more than 20 states where BetMGM operates, you can sign up for a new account with a BetMGM bonus code in a matter of minutes. Here's how: If you're signed up for the $1,500 BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE, place your first bet on any of today's matchups (or any other set of odds), and if it settles as a loss, you'll get bonus bets back. For wagers of $50 and up, the refund comes as five equal bonus bets, while smaller wagers get a single matching credit. With the BetMGM bonus code WIREBG150, you can wager on any set of odds, and if it comes back as a win, you get your winnings plus three $50 bet credits. After signing up for your BetMGM bonus code offer, place your qualifying bet within seven days. You'll have a seven-day window from when bonus bets are deposited to use them or they will expire.
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
Red Sox reinstate Wilyer Abreu, option Kristian Campbell to Triple-A
SAN FRANCISCO — The Boston Red Sox have reinstated outfielder Wilyer Abreu from the 10-day injured list and optioned Kristian Campbell to Triple-A Worcester. Abreu had been placed on the injured list on June 9 with a left oblique strain and will make his return when the Red Sox open a three-game series on the road against the San Francisco Giants on Friday night.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
BetMGM Promo Code NW150: Claim $150 MLB Bonus For Mets-Phils, Any Game
Get in on the action for Friday's MLB games like Mets-Phillies with the BetMBM bonus code NW150 and get a chance to win $150 in bonus bets or get a $1,500 first bet offer when you sign up for a new account. Click on the offer below and claim the offer you're eligible for on Yanks-Orioles, Red Sox-Giants and more. If you are a user in CO, MI, NJ, PA or WV, you can win $150 in bonuses when you place a winning $10 wager to start your account. If you are in another state, you can use the $1,500 first bet safety net on any market. The Mets-Phillies clash headlines Friday's slate, but there are other interesting matchups like Orioles-Yankees and Red Sox-Giants. The latter features the Red Sox facing Rafael Devers for the first time since trading him to the Giants. Sign up today before the games start to get in on the action with the welcome offer from BetMGM Sportsbook. BetMGM Bonus Code NW150 For MLB Games Friday BetMGM Promo Code NW150 New User Offer Bet $10, Get $150 Bonus (CO, MI, NJ, PA, WV Only) or $1,500 First-Bet Offer In-App Promos Parlay Boost Token, MLB Daily Swing, etc. Terms and Conditions 21+ and Present in Participating States Bonus Last Verified On June 20, 2025 Information Confirmed By Newsweek Sports Betting Staff The $150 bonus offer has the important caveat that you must win your initial $10 bet, so let's go through how to use that offer. When it comes to your $10 bet, you might want to consider some prop bets. A moneyline bet would qualify, but predicting the winner of an MLB game can be tough, no matter how lopsided the matchup looks on paper. You could look into some strikeout or hit props. One bet that might be fun and also have a good chance of settling as a win is Devers recording a hit against his old team. If you receive the $1,500 first bet, you will get the chance to wager up to that amount and get your stake back if you lose. Let's say you put $1,000 on the Phillies to beat the Mets on Friday. If your bet wins, you will get a large payout. If your bet loses, you will get your $1,000 stake back in the form of a bonus. How To Register With BetMGM Bonus Code NW150 Click on the offer above to capitalize on this welcome offer. Enter your basic identifying information, the bonus code NW150 and enable location services on your device to ensure that you receive the welcome offer you are eligible for. From there, you can make an initial deposit with a secure payment method. Then, make your first wager with BetMGM to use the welcome offer you receive. Bonus bets you receive with either welcome offer will expire after seven days. Highlights For June 20 MLB Slate When you sign up for a new BetMGM Sportsbook account, you can take advantage of the in-app offers in addition to the welcome offer you claimed. These offers often include profit boosts, which you can claim for Friday's MLB games. You can also play the MLB Daily Swing game for a chance to win cash or additional bonus bets. Sign up today to start your new account the right way for this weekend's MLB games. Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
