The Boston Red Sox enter Wednesday with yet another chance to earn their 10th win of the 2024 season, as they take on the Cleveland Guardians for their third game in the four-game series at Fenway Park.
Boston will have Rafael Devers in the lineup but not at his usual position for Game 3. Here's what the Red Sox lineup will look like with Tanner Houck on the mound:
- Jarren Duran LF
- Rafael Devers DH
- Triston Casas 1B
- Wilyer Abreu RF
- Enmanuel Valdez 2B
- Connor Wong C
- David Hamilton SS
- Pablo Reyes 3B
- Ceddanne Rafaela CF
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said before the game that Devers is feeling much better after leaving Tuesday's matchup with a knee injury. His move to designated hitter gives Masataka Yoshida the night off.
Houck has been solid this season, giving up just four runs in 17 2/3 innings pitched. However, all four of those runs did come in his last outing, a 7-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Six members of this Guardians' roster have recorded hits off of him - Estevan Florial (1-for-5), Andres Gimenez (1-for-3), Steven Kwan (2-for-2 with an RBI), Ramon Laureano (1-for-1), Josh Naylor (1-for-3 with a solo home run) and Jose Ramirez (1-for-7 with a solo home run).
Cleveland is sending Ben Lively to the mound Wednesday for his 2024 debut with the big-league club. He's allowed three earned in 8 1/3 innings pitched in Triple-A this year and posted a 5.38 ERA in 19 appearances last year. Only one Red Sox in the lineup has ever hit off of him Duran (1-for-2).
If Boston loses this game, they'll lose the series and make it three losses in a row.
