Red Sox to start hitless rookie at DH in middle game vs. Rays

Mike Masala

Red Sox to start hitless rookie at DH in middle game vs. Rays image

After the Boston Red Sox dropped the series opener to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night at Fenway Park, the two teams will meet again on Saturday.

For the matchup, Boston will send Kutter Crawford to the mound while Tampa Bay will counter with Shane Baz.

Here's Alex Cora's lineup for the middle game:

  1. Jarren Duran CF
  2. Trevor Story SS
  3. Triston Casas 1B
  4. Tyler O'Neill LF
  5. Mickey Gasper DH
  6. Romy Gonzalez 3B
  7. Wilyer Abreu RF
  8. Danny Jansen C
  9. Vaughn Grissom 2B

And, here's Kevin Cash's:

  1. Yandy Diaz DH
  2. Brandon Lowe 2B
  3. Junior Caminero 3B
  4. Jonathan Aranda 1B
  5. Christopher Morel LF
  6. Josh Lowe RF
  7. Jose Siri CF
  8. Ben Rortvedt C
  9. Taylor Walls SS

Crawford has been pretty good for Boston this year, posting a 4.17 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP while striking out 169 batters in 32 starts. He's allowed three or fewer earned runs in six of his last seven outings. 10 Rays have recorded hits against him - Jonathan Aranda (3-for-4 with an RBI and a walk), Jose Caballero (2-for-3), Dylan Carlson (1-for-2 with an RBI), Yandy Diaz (4-for-12 with an RBI and two walks), Brandon Lowe (1-for-6 with a solo home run), Josh Lowe (1-for-14 with an RBI), Christopher Morel (1-for-6), Richie Palacios (1-for-3 with an RBI), Jose Siri (1-for-3 with an RBI) and Taylor Walls (1-for-5).

Baz has been really good for Tampa Bay in his 13 starts, posting a 3.07 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP while striking out 62 batters. He's allowed two or fewer runs in his last six outings. Two Red Sox have recorded hits against him - Wilyer Abreu (1-for-2 with a walk) and Triston Casas (1-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs).

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Mike Masala

Mike Masala Photo

Mike Masala previously served as the Managing Editor of USA TODAY's Dolphins Wire as well as a contributing writer at Patriots Wire. A lifelong New England resident, he is the self-proclaimed captain and lone member of the Laurence Maroney Fan Club. Follow on Twitter/X: @Mike_Masala