Red Sox Reward Friday Night Heroes In Lineup For Giants Rematch

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The Boston Red Sox will not overthink what worked in Friday night’s series opener against the San Francisco Giants. Boston revealed its starting lineup for Saturday’s nationally televised matchup at Fenway Park, and manager Chad Tracy kept the two biggest offensive stars from Friday exactly where they have been thriving.

Wilyer Abreu will bat third and play right field, while Willson Contreras remains in the cleanup spot and starts at first base. The pair combined to drive in four of Boston’s six runs during a 6-4 victory in the series opener. Abreu went 3-for-4 and delivered an RBI triple in the sixth inning. Contreras provided the biggest swing of the night, crushing a three-run home run an estimated 450 feet as part of Boston’s five-run third inning.

That production was more than enough for Cora to run back the heart of his order against Giants right-hander Blade Tidwell.

Red Sox Keep Top Of Order Intact

Nick Sogard will lead off and start at second base, followed by Ceddanne Rafaela in center field. Abreu and Contreras provide the power behind them, while Adley Rutschman will catch and bat fifth. Caleb Durbin gets the start at third base and hits sixth.

Jarren Duran remains in the lower third of the order, batting seventh and playing left field. Andruw Monasterio will start at shortstop with Trevor Story still working his way back through a minor league rehabilitation assignment. Mickey Gasper rounds out the lineup as Boston’s designated hitter.

Here is the complete Red Sox lineup:

  1. Nick Sogard, 2B

  2. Ceddanne Rafaela, CF

  3. Wilyer Abreu, RF

  4. Willson Contreras, 1B

  5. Adley Rutschman, C

  6. Caleb Durbin, 3B

  7. Jarren Duran, LF

  8. Andruw Monasterio, SS

  9. Mickey Gasper, DH

Patrick Sandoval will start on the mound for Boston. The left-hander enters the game with a 1-2 record, a 4.76 ERA and 35 strikeouts.

Boston Looks To Build Momentum Against Former Star

Saturday’s lineup also will get another opportunity to outperform former Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers. Devers homered in his return to Fenway Park on Friday, cutting Boston’s lead to one run in the fourth inning. The Giants could not complete the comeback, however, as the Red Sox bullpen protected the advantage over the final three innings.

Boston enters Saturday at 69-59 after winning three of its last four games. San Francisco has lost four of five and will turn to Tidwell, who owns a 4.33 ERA, to slow down a Red Sox offense that recorded 11 hits in the series opener. The Red Sox are still operating without Story and several other injured players, but their reshaped lineup delivered when it mattered Friday. Cora’s response was simple: keep the hottest bats in the heart of the order and ask them to do it again.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET at Fenway Park. The game will air nationally on FOX.

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