Andrew Benintendi made a big impact at the plate in his playoff debut, and as a result, he’s moving up the batting order.
Benintendi will hit seventh and play left field for the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Friday afternoon. The Indians won Game 1 5-4 on Thursday night.
Red Sox manager John Farrell penciled Benintendi into his customary ninth spot for the series opener, and the rookie outfielder hit a home run in his first career postseason at-bat. He also singled later in the game.
With Benintendi moving up, the struggling Jackie Bradley Jr. drops to the nine-hole. Bradley hit .121 (4-for-33) in his final 10 games of the regular season and struggled again in Game 1, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
The Indians, meanwhile, are shaking up their lineup with left-hander David Price on the mound for Boston. Rajai Davis and Brandon Guyer get starts in the outfield after sitting Game 1.
Here are the lineups for both clubs.
RED SOX
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Brock Holt, 3B
Mookie Betts, RF
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, 1B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Andrew Benintendi, LF
Sandy Leon, C
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
David Price, LHP
INDIANS
Rajai Davis, CF
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Francisco Lindor, SS
Mike Napoli, 1B
Carlos Santana, DH
Jose Ramirez, 3B
Brandon Guyer, LF
Lonnie Chisenhall, RF
Roberto Perez, C
Corey Kluber, RHP
Thumbnail photo via David Richard/USA TODAY Sports Images
