The Boston Red Sox were downed by the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 at Fenway Park on Monday, but the two teams will meet again on Tuesday night.
Boston will send Nick Pivetta to the mound, while Tampa Bay will counter with Aaron Civale.
Here’s what Alex Cora’s lineup will look like for Game 2:
- Jarren Duran CF
- Wilyer Abreu RF
- Connor Wong DH
- Rafael Devers 3B
- Tyler O’Neill LF
- Dominic Smith 1B
- Vaughn Grissom 2B
- Reese McGuire C
- Ceddanne Rafaela SS
Pivetta has only started three games for the Red Sox this year due to a nearly monthlong stay on the injured list. He allowed five runs in his last outing, a 5-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves. Six Rays have hits against him – Randy Arozarena (7-for-19 with a home run, an RBI and four walks), Yandy Diaz (6-for-21 with seven walks), Isaac Paredes (4-for-10 with three home runs, four RBIs and three walks), Harold Ramirez (5-for-17 with one RBI), Amed Rosario (6-for-21 with two RBIs and a walk) and Jose Siri (1-for-4).
Civale has struggled this year, posting a 5.88 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP in his eight starts. He’s even worse on the road, allowing an 8.36 ERA away from Tropicana Field. Three active Red Sox have recorded hits off of him – Abreu (1-for-3), Devers (1-for-6 with three walks), Duran (4-for-5 with an RBI and a walk) and McGuire (2-for-6).
Boston has just a half-game lead on Tampa Bay heading into Tuesday night’s battle. With a number of head-to-head matchups coming up in the next two weeks, Cora’s squad needs to capitalize.
