Detroit star Tarik Skubal is on the bump
The Red Sox look to win their first series in three tries Saturday, as they meet the Detroit Tigers in a matinee matchup at Comerica Park.
Rob Refsnyder will have a particularly important role in getting the job done.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora will deploy a large group of right-handed bats, with Refsnyder headlining a group that will dig in against one of the best left-handed pitchers in all of baseball — Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.
Jarren Duran, Rafael Devers and Triston Casas are the only left-handed options in the lineup, with Devers continuing to serve as the designated hitter. Connor Wong will remain in the lineup, but he’ll play second base with Danny Jansen getting the start behind the dish.
Casas will move from third to seventh in the order, while Romy Gonzalez bumps up from eighth to fifth. Tyler O’Neill will also slide up a couple spots, from fifth to third.
The Sox and Tigers are scheduled to take the field at Comerica Park at 6:10 p.m. ET, and the action can be seen on NESN following an hour of pregame coverage.
BOSTON RED SOX (70-65)
Jarren Duran, CF
Rob Refsnyder, LF
Tyler O’Neill, RF
Rafael Devers, DH
Romy Gonzalez, 3B
Connor Wong, 2B
Triston Casas, 1B
Danny Jansen, C
Ceddanne Rafaela, SS
Nick Pivetta, RHP (5-9, 4.61 ERA)
DETROIT TIGERS (68-68)
Parker Meadows, CF
Riley Greene, LF
Matt Vierling, RF
Colt Keith, DH
Spencer Torkelson, 1B
Zach McKinstry, 2B
Trey Sweeney, SS
Ryan Kreidler, 3B
Jake Rogers, C
Tarik Skubal, LHP (15-4, 2.58 ERA)