Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora has spent months trying to perfect his lineup for games against left-handed starting pitchers — and presented a new wrinkle on Tuesday.
Jarren Duran is batting lower than he has all season…
Duran, who has struggled mightily against left-handed pitchers this season, is batting eighth in the club’s series opener against the Athletics. Duran hasn’t been placed that far down the lineup since May 12, 2024.
Romy Gonzalez returns to the leadoff spot, where he has thrived against southpaws, and will play first base. Rob Refsnyder, the club’s other specialist against lefties, will be in the cleanup spot as designated hitter. Nate Eaton will be playing right field and hitting sixth. Nick Sogard is hitting seventh, play
ing second base, and will bat from the right side of the plate.
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It’s far from the most spectacular looking lineup, but those right-handed bats have gotten the job done.
Duran has seemingly lost the leadoff job to Gonzalez, at least when it comes to facing lefties, for the remainder of the season — as the former carries a has a .581 OPS in 201 plate appearances and the latter carries a 1.023 OPS in 137 plate appearances.
The Red Sox will look like this against the A’s:
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1. Romy Gonzalez, 1B2. Alex Bregman, 3B3. Trevor Story, SS4. Rob Refsnyder, DH5. Carlos Narváez, C6. Nate Eaton, RF7. Nick Sogard, 2B8. Jarren Duran, LF9. Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
Connelly Early will make his second career start against Jeffery Springs, the same matchup as his stellar debut.
Duran will be the only left-handed option in the starting lineup, with Nathaniel Lowe, David Hamilton and Masataka Yoshida available off the bench alongside right-handed options Ali Sanchez and Connor Wong.
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Boston and Oakla-mento are scheduled to take the field at 6:45 p.m. ET, following an hour of pregame coverage on NESN.