Rookie infielder replacing Jarren Duran as Red Sox's leadoff hitter in opener vs. Rangers

Mike Masala

Rookie infielder replacing Jarren Duran as Red Sox's leadoff hitter in opener vs. Rangers image

After the Boston Red Sox were swept by the Houston Astros over the weekend, Alex Cora's team is set to host the Texas Rangers in a three-game series at Fenway Park starting on Monday.

For the matchup, Boston is expected to start Brayan Bello while Texas will counter with Tyler Mahle.

Here's Cora's lineup for the series opener:

  1. David Hamilton SS
  2. Masataka Yoshida DH
  3. Rob Refsnyder LF
  4. Rafael Devers 3B
  5. Connor Wong C
  6. Wilyer Abreu RF
  7. Dom Smith 1B
  8. Nick Sogard 2B
  9. Ceddanne Rafaela CF

And, here's Bruce Bochy's:

  1. Marcus Semien 2B
  2. Corey Seager SS
  3. Josh Smith 3B
  4. Adolis Garcia RF
  5. Nathaniel Lowe 1B
  6. Josh Jung DH
  7. Wyatt Langford LF
  8. Jonah Heim C
  9. Leody Taveras CF

Bello has struggled this year, posting a 5.16 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP while striking out 109 batters in his 21 starts this year. However, he's allowed three or fewer runs in his last five outings. 11 Rangers have recorded hits against him - Ezequiel Duran (1-for-2), Garcia (1-for-7 with a home run, two RBIs and a walk), Robbie Grossman (1-for-3), Heim (1-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and a walk), Travis Jankowski (1-for-3), Jung (1-for-5), Carson Kelly (1-for-3),  Lowe (1-for-8), Seager (3-for-9), Semien (1-for 8 with three RBIs and two walks) and  Tavares (2-for-2 with an RBI).

Mahle has only made one start for Texas this year, allowing just one run in his five innings of work against the Astros last week. He's only made nine major league appearances in the last two seasons. Two Red Sox have hits against him in his career - Romy Gonzalez (1-for-1) and Smith (2-for-5 with an RBI and a walk).

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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