Red Sox Reveal Game 2 Lineup After Gaining Ground On Yankees originally appeared on NESN.
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The Boston Red Sox already accomplished one important objective Saturday. Now they have an opportunity to make their doubleheader against the New York Yankees even more productive. Boston rolled to a 6-0 victory in Saturday afternoon’s opener at Yankee Stadium, bouncing back after being shut out in consecutive games. The win improved the Red Sox to 74-61 and dropped New York to 76-59, moving Boston within two games of the Yankees for the American League’s top wild-card spot.
The Red Sox will attempt to complete a doubleheader sweep Saturday night with a lineup nearly identical to the one that delivered nine hits and six runs in Game 1.
Boston announced its Game 2 batting order on its official X account:
- Jahmai Jones, designated hitter
Ceddanne Rafaela, center field
Wilyer Abreu, right field
Willson Contreras, first base
Caleb Durbin, third base
Andruw Monasterio, shortstop
Nick Sogard, second base
Connor Wong, catcher
Eli White, left field
Alec Gamboa will start on the mound for Boston.
Red Sox Stick With Winning Formula
Interim manager Chad Tracy did not make sweeping changes after the Game 1 victory. The first five hitters remain unchanged, with Jones leading off ahead of Rafaela, Abreu, Contreras and Durbin. Monasterio and Sogard each move up one spot following their productive performances in the opener.
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The only change is behind the plate. Wong replaces Adley Rutschman, who went 3-for-4 and scored twice in Game 1. Giving Rutschman the night off is hardly surprising after he caught nine innings in the afternoon contest.
Abreu provided Boston’s first run of the day with a solo home run off Carlos Rodón in the first inning. The blast ended a lengthy Red Sox scoring drought and gave the outfielder a career-high 23 home runs.
Boston carried a 2-0 advantage into the ninth before breaking the game open. Monasterio delivered a two-run single, Sogard added an RBI double and Rafaela capped the four-run inning with an RBI single.
The offensive production complemented an outstanding pitching performance from Jake Bennett, who allowed three hits and no walks while striking out seven over six scoreless innings. Tyron Guerrero, Garrett Whitlock and Jovani Morán completed the four-hit shutout. Reuters noted that the victory also gave Boston a 6-5 advantage in the season series.
MORE: Red Sox Answer Offensive Drought With Statement Shutout Win Over Yankees
Boston Has Chance To Create Major Standings Swing
Saturday began with the Red Sox three games behind New York. That deficit is now two, and a second victory would pull Boston within a single game of the Yankees.
It is a significant opportunity in a crowded playoff race.
The Red Sox will turn to Gamboa, who enters the game with a 1-0 record and a 1.31 ERA. He will oppose Yankees left-hander Max Fried, who is returning from the injured list after dealing with a bone bruise in his pitching elbow. Fried owns a 4-4 record and a 2.81 ERA. Boston’s right-handed-heavy lineup makes sense against Fried. Eight of its nine starters will bat from the right side, with Sogard serving as the lone switch-hitter.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium. The game will air nationally on FOX.
After gaining one game in the afternoon, the Red Sox have an immediate chance to gain another and tighten the race considerably before Saturday is over.
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