The Boston Red Sox have activated Triston Casas and Tyler O’Neill off the injured list in preparation for their game against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night. Manager Alex Cora is confident in the team’s lineup against left-handed starters, a weakness that has plagued the Red Sox this season. With O’Neill and Casas back in the lineup, along with the decision to sit red-hot designated hitter Masataka Yoshida against rookie Cade Povich, Cora believes the team is well-equipped to do damage against lefties.
Yoshida, who has been hitting well since the All-Star break, has struggled against left-handed pitchers this season, prompting Cora to give the DH spot to Connor Wong instead. The decision was made possible by keeping a third catcher, Mickey Gasper, on the roster. O’Neill, who has been dominant against lefties with a .310 average and nine homers this season, is also back in the lineup after being sidelined with a leg infection.
Casas, who went 1-for-5 in his return from the injured list on Friday, will play every day against both righties and lefties. The Red Sox will face the Orioles later than expected due to a rain delay, with Brayan Bello set to start on the mound for Boston. With a revamped lineup and key players back from injury, the Red Sox look to improve their record against left-handed pitchers as they take on the Orioles in the third game of their four-game series.
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