The Boston Red Sox have rolled out 99 different batting orders this season in 110 games, so it’s pretty rare to see John Farrell come out with identical lineups in two consecutive games.
He’ll be doing that Sunday, though, as the Red Sox try to win their weekend series against the New York Yankees.
The top of the order had great success for the Sox in Saturday’s 6-4 loss, as the first five hitters combined for seven of the team’s eight hits. In his debut, Yoenis Cespedes got a single from the cleanup spot, which is where he’ll hit Sunday night, as well.
However, they’ll need the bottom of the order to start producing if they want to secure the W. Christian Vazquez was the only player to get a hit from the bottom of the order as the No. 6 through No. 9 hitters went a combined 1-for-15 in the loss.
Several Red Sox players have had success in the past against Yankees starter David Phelps.
Mike Napoli is hitting .429 with a home run in seven at-bats against Phelps. Meanwhile, Dustin Pedroia is hitting .353 with three RBIs in 17 at-bats against Phelps.
That said, Cespedes is hitless against Phelps in six career at-bats.
On the mound for the Red Sox is Clay Buchholz, the only pitcher from last year’s World Series-winning rotation that is still on the team. He’ll look to lower his 5.87 ERA and get his sixth win of the season.
Boston Red Sox (49-61)
Brock Holt, 3B
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Daniel Nava, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Christian Vazquez, C
Clay Buchholz, RHP (5-7, 5.87 ERA)
New York Yankees (56-53)
Brett Gardner, LF
Derek Jeter, SS
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Carlos Beltran, DH
Brian McCann, C
Chase Headley, 3B
Stephen Drew, 2B
Martin Prado, RF
David Phelps, RHP (5-5, 3.89 ERA)
Photo via USA TODAY Sports Images/Mark L. Baer
