Perhaps a return to normalcy will help the Boston Red Sox end their skid against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Alex Cora is in Toronto and set to return to the dugout for Wednesday’s Red Sox vs. Blue Jays matchup.
The Red Sox manager had been absent since Thursday due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, and the team has lost five of six games without him. Cora is expected to reassume the managerial reins that bench coach Will Venable has been holding for nearly a week.
Rafael Devers is back in the lineup after starting Tuesday night’s game on the bench. The Red Sox third baseman will bat fourth, and the new-look top of the order will remain in place for a second consecutive game: Trevor Story leading off, followed by Alex Verdugo and Xander Bogaerts. Devers’ return sends Christian Arroyo to the bench.
The other Red Sox lineup change is at catcher, where Kevin Plawecki starts and bats ninth while Christian Vázquez sits.
Michael Wacha is Boston’s starting pitcher. He’s 1-0 with a 1.88 ERA and has allowed just three earned runs in 14 1/3 innings pitched this season.
Right-handed pitcher Ross Stripling starts for the Blue Jays.
NESN will air Red Sox vs. Blue Jays in full, with pregame coverage starting at 6 p.m. ET. First pitch from Rogers Centre is scheduled for 7:07 p.m., and postgame coverage immediately will follow the final out. Those on the go can catch all the action online at Watch NESN Live.
Here are the starting lineups:
BOSTON RED SOX (7-11)
Trevor Story, 2B
Alex Verdugo, LF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Rafael Devers, 3B
J.D. Martinez, DH
Kiké Hernández, CF
Jackie Bradley Jr., RF
Bobby Dalbec, 1B
Kevin Plawecki, C
Michael Wacha, RHP (1-0, 1.88 ERA)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (12-6)
George Springer, CF
Bo Bichette, SS
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
Zack Collins, DH
Lourdes Gurriel Jr., LF
Raimel Tapia, RF
Matt Chapman, 3B
Gosuke Katoh, 2B
Tyler Heineman, C
Ross Stripling, RHP (0-0, 4.50 ERA)
