The Boston Red Sox haven’t taken advantage of their opportunities to clinch the American League East, as they fell to 1-3 on their final homestand after a 12-2 loss to the Houston Astros on Thursday night.
But despite a starting rotation that has allowed 20 earned runs in those four games, the Red Sox can clinch the AL East with a win Friday over the Astros, thanks to the New York Yankees’ loss Thursday night.
Boston will send Doug Fister to the hill against right-hander Charlie Morton. Fister could cement himself as the No. 3 starter in the Red Sox’s playoff rotation with a solid outing, as both Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez struggled in their final regular-season starts.
The Red Sox’s lineup will have one noticeable difference Friday, as Rajai Davis will get the start in center field and hit ninth while Jackie Bradley Jr. begins the game on the bench.
Mookie Betts is back in the lineup for the second consecutive day after missing two games earlier in the week with a sore left wrist. He will bat cleanup and play right field. Christian Vazquez initially was slated to catch, but he was scratched in favor of Sandy Leon.
Here are the complete lineups for Friday’s Red Sox vs. Astros game.
RED SOX (92-67)
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Andrew Benintendi, LF
Mookie Betts, RF
Mitch Moreland, 1B
Hanley Ramirez, DH
Rafael Devers, 3B
Sandy Leon, C
Rajai Davis, CF
Doug Fister, RHP (5-8, 4.87 ERA)
ASTROS (99-60)
George Springer, CF
Alex Bregman, 3B
Jose Altuve, 2B
Carlos Correa, SS
Marwin Gonzalez, LF
Evan Gattis, C
Carlos Beltran, DH
Yulieski Gurriel, 1B
Derek Fisher, RF
Charlie Morton, RHP (13-7, 3.63 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Andy Marlin/USA TODAY Sports Images
