Boston fields a roster heavy on minor leaguers while regulars compete internationally.
Spring training lineups can tell you a lot about where a team is in camp.
Sometimes they feature a handful of everyday players getting their timing down. Other days - like Thursday afternoon in Clearwater - they serve as a reminder of just how many Red Sox are scattered across the globe during the World Baseball Classic.
Boston’s 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies fell firmly into the latter category.
Manager Alex Cora’s lineup card featured just one player projected to make the Opening Day roster: backup catcher Connor Wong, who served as the designated hitter and finished 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. With many regulars competing internationally and others remaining back in Fort Myers, the Red Sox essentially rolled out a group of minor leaguers and non-roster invitees.
“This is what we have,” Cora told the media before the game.
The lack of big-league bats showed up on the scoreboard.
Boston managed just five hits, struck out 14 times and went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position while leaving six men on base.
The Red Sox have now been outscored 10-2 across their last two Grapefruit League contests, though the results come with the usual spring caveat: most of the lineup won’t resemble what fans will see once the regular season begins.
Mar 5, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott (5) forces out Boston Red Sox catcher Matt Thaiss (25) and throws the ball to first base for a double play during the fifth inning at BayCare Ballpark. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images)Philadelphia starter Jesus Luzardo set the tone early, striking out five across three scoreless innings.
The left-hander was helped along by the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system, which made its presence felt in the first inning.
Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto successfully challenged two calls that were initially ruled balls but overturned into strikes. The sequence allowed Luzardo to finish the frame with back-to-back strikeouts, stranding leadoff hitter Braiden Ward at third base.
The Phillies finished a perfect 3 for 3 on ABS challenges.
The Red Sox weren’t nearly as fortunate.
Boston went 0 for 2 on their own challenges, including one from catcher Matt Thaiss in the fifth inning that turned what was ruled Ball 4 to Adolis Garcia into a strike - keeping the inning alive and helping the Phillies load the bases later in the frame.
Despite the quiet offensive afternoon, Boston did scratch across its two runs thanks to a defensive miscue by Philadelphia.
With runners on base, a pop-up from Yoeilin Cespedes into medium-depth left field was dropped when Phillies shortstop Bryan Rincon and left fielder Keaton Anthony collided while attempting to make the play. The error allowed both Mickey Gasper and Cespedes to come around and score.
On the mound, T.J. Sikkema started for Boston and took the loss after allowing three earned runs on five hits across 2.1 innings. He struck out two before giving way to a parade of relievers that included Michael Sansone, Ryan Watson, Kyle Keller, Wyatt Olds, Jacob Webb and P.J. Labriola.
After spending the night in the Tampa area, they’ll head to Lakeland on Friday to face the Detroit Tigers, where left-hander Connelly Early is scheduled to start opposite Justin Verlander, who will be making his first Grapefruit League appearance since returning to Detroit last month.
Spring Training or not, that’s a very fun pitching matchup.
Mar 5, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Justin Crawford (80) and Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Otto Kemp (4) score runs during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at BayCare Ballpark. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images)JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.