The Boston Red Sox are looking to avoid a sweep on Wednesday afternoon at Fenway Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates have taken the first two games of the series and this is how the Red Sox will line up as they look to salvage Game 3.
When Major League Baseball announced that the schedule would be balanced in 2023, it was supposed to be a good thing for the Boston Red Sox.
Less games against the Yankees, Blue Jays and Rays, and more games against the bottom feeders of baseball was supposed to enhance the Sox' chance at making a playoff run. But thus far, it hasn't worked out that way as the Red Sox have lost the first two games of a series at Fenway Park to the Pirates, a team that won just 62 games and finished last in the National League Central.
The Pirates used the long ball in winning the first two games, 7-6, and 4-1, and the Red Sox will look to salvage Game 3.
Here's how the 2-3 Red Sox will line up for the game which is slated to begin at 1:35 p.m. ET.
1) Alex Verdugo, RF
2) Rafael Devers, 3B
3) Justin Turner, DH
4) Masataka Yoshida, LF
5) Triston Casas, 1B
6) Christian Arroyo, 2B
7) Raimel Tapia, CF
8) Yu Chang, SS
9) Connor Wong, C
SP: Corey Kluber
It's the definition of a "getaway day" lineup for Boston, who is resting Adam Duvall and Enrique Hernandez before the team heads to Detroit this weekend.
Kluber will look to rebound from a rocky Opening Day start that saw him go just 3.1 innings against the Baltimore Orioles. He surrendered five earned runs on six hits and four walks in a game that the Red Sox lost, 10-9.
As for the Pirates, they are scheduled to go with their Opening Day starter, Mitch Keller. He's 0-0 with a 7.71 ERA.