Red Sox Reveal Lineup For Crucial Yankees Series Opener originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox have revealed their lineup for the opener of a pivotal four-game series against the New York Yankees.
Nick Sogard will lead off and play shortstop Friday night in the Bronx against Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler. Ceddanne Rafaela will bat second and start in center field, while Wilyer Abreu will hit third and play right field.
Willson Contreras gets the cleanup assignment at first base. Adley Rutschman will catch and bat fifth, followed by third baseman Caleb Durbin and designated hitter Nathaniel Lowe.
Jarren Duran will start in left field and bat eighth. Anthony Seigler rounds out the order at second base.
Here is Boston’s complete lineup, as shared by MassLive’s Chris Cotillo:
Nick Sogard, SS
Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
Wilyer Abreu, RF
Willson Contreras, 1B
Adley Rutschman, C
Caleb Durbin, 3B
Nathaniel Lowe, DH
Jarren Duran, LF
Anthony Seigler, 2B
Sogard’s spot at the top of the order represents the most interesting decision from interim manager Chad Tracy.
Red Sox with no Anthony, no Story vs. Schlittler:
Sogard SS
Rafaela CF
Abreu RF
Contreras 1B
Rutschman C
Durbin 3B
Gasper DH
Duran LF
Seigler 2B
The 28-year-old will be asked to generate traffic ahead of Rafaela, Abreu and Contreras. That group gives Boston a combination of speed, power and run-producing ability at the top of the order against Schlittler.
Rutschman supplies another dangerous bat in the fifth spot, while Durbin and Lowe will attempt to extend rallies in the middle innings.
Duran’s placement at No. 8 gives the Red Sox a proven spark near the bottom of the lineup. If Duran or Seigler can reach base, Sogard and Rafaela will have opportunities to turn the lineup over and put immediate pressure on New York’s defense.
MORE: Roman Anthony’s Red Sox Return Delayed Before Crucial Yankees Series
Roman Anthony remains with Triple-A Worcester as he continues his rehab assignment, while Trevor Story also remains unavailable. Neither absence comes as a surprise, leaving Boston to continue with a lineup structure it has used throughout its recent postseason push.
The setting, however, will be different.
Boston and New York will spend the weekend playing four games with significant implications in the American League East and wild-card races. A strong start Friday would allow the Red Sox to establish momentum before the series moves into a weekend doubleheader.
Boston will trust Sogard to light the fuse and its new-look middle of the order to do the damage.
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