Red Sox Tinker Lineup Ahead of Yankees Series
BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox are shaking things up as they gear up for a high-stakes weekend series against the New York Yankees. Manager Alex Cora announced on Friday that rookie Roman Anthony will take the field in right, while regulars Marcelo Mayer and Jarren Duran will sit out against Yankees’ soft-tossing lefty Ryan Yarbrough.
Cora is strategically selecting matchups for his young hitters, opting for Anthony, who has faced right-handers in his first three games, in hopes of capitalizing on left-on-left opportunities. The rookie’s performance could influence his placement in the lineup for the impending games against veteran southpaws Carlos Rodón and Max Fried.
The Red Sox lineup features Rob Refsnyder leading off, with Romy Gonzalez batting third and starting at first base. Switch-hitter Abraham Toro is positioned at third base, a move Cora believes leverages Toro’s versatility against lefties. Cora remarked, “We cannot play them all,” emphasizing the need for a tailored approach based on matchups.
Despite Mayer and Anthony being part of the future, Cora has been cautious. Mayer has begun just once against left-handed pitchers in five games since joining the majors, while Anthony was recently substituted in his debut. Meanwhile, Duran, who has been a consistent player this season, will benefit from an extra day’s rest after a demanding schedule.
Cora hinted that Mayer may start Saturday against Rodón after a strong performance earlier in the week, acknowledging the depth of the roster and the need for strategic substitutions.
Red Sox fans will be watching closely as the team aims to leverage their talent in this critical series against their longstanding rival.
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