Red Sox Bring Their Own Heat To Miami In Monday Lineup image
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The Boston Red Sox are leaving a successful homestand behind, but Chad Tracy is not making many changes to a lineup that has started producing again. Boston will open a three-game series against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park Monday night. Nick Sogard remains in the leadoff spot one day after delivering the biggest performance of his young career, while Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu and Willson Contreras again form the heart of Tracy’s batting order.
The Red Sox enter Miami at 71-59 after sweeping the San Francisco Giants and finishing their six-game homestand with five victories. Monday’s challenge will be significant, though, with former National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara starting for the Marlins.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.
Sogard Gets Another Chance To Set The Tone
Tracy rewarded Sogard by placing the switch hitter atop the order against Alcantara. Sogard went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, two runs and two RBIs in Boston’s 5-4 victory over San Francisco on Sunday. His 415-foot solo homer began the Red Sox’s comeback after they fell into an early three-run hole. Sogard has become much more than an injury replacement. He entered Monday batting .287 with a .401 on-base percentage and a .426 slugging percentage over 35 games. His ability to play multiple infield positions also has given Tracy flexibility while Trevor Story and Isiah Kiner-Falefa work their way back from injuries.
The Red Sox are scheduled to have Sogard start at second base Monday. Rafaela will bat second and play center field. He leads Boston with a .289 average and 32 doubles while adding 16 home runs and 66 RBIs. Abreu, who has 22 homers and 69 RBIs, will bat third and play right field.
Contreras provides the biggest threat in the cleanup spot. The veteran first baseman leads the Red Sox with 26 home runs, 78 RBIs and a .925 OPS.
Rutschman Returns Behind The Plate
Adley Rutschman will catch and bat fifth after Connor Wong started Sunday’s series finale. Rutschman has begun making a larger impact since joining the Red Sox at the trade deadline. He recorded two hits and three RBIs against the Arizona Diamondbacks last Tuesday, including his first home run with Boston.
Caleb Durbin will bat sixth and play third base. Durbin has authored one of the most impressive turnarounds on the roster. He owned a .530 OPS with one home run through the end of May but has recorded an .859 OPS and 11 homers since then. Jarren Duran will start in left field and bat seventh. Andruw Monasterio gets the start at shortstop and will hit eighth, while Mickey Gasper rounds out the order as the designated hitter.
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Red Sox Face Former Cy Young Winner
Alcantara enters Monday at 13-8 with a 3.46 ERA and 131 strikeouts. The right-hander has been particularly effective in Miami, posting a 2.69 home ERA. Boston will counter with Ranger Suárez, who is 5-3 with a 3.41 ERA. The left-hander has enjoyed considerable success at loanDepot park, going 6-2 with a 2.47 ERA over 14 career appearances in Miami.
The Marlins also enter the series with momentum. Miami swept the Washington Nationals over the weekend and improved to 41-25 at home.
Boston, meanwhile, owns a 37-27 road record and has gone 39-13 since June 25. The Red Sox currently hold an eight-game cushion in the American League wild-card race.
Here is Boston’s starting lineup for Monday:
Nick Sogard, 2B
Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
Wilyer Abreu, RF
Willson Contreras, 1B
Adley Rutschman, C
Caleb Durbin, 3B
Jarren Duran, LF
Andruw Monasterio, SS
Mickey Gasper, DH
Starting pitcher: Ranger Suárez, LHP
The lineup details were announced by the Red Sox on X, while MLB lists Suárez and Alcantara as Monday’s probable starters.
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