
Red Sox rookie batting cleanup in first game of doubleheader
Alex Cora has spoken recently of how he’s been tempted to bat hot-hitting rookie Carlos Narvaez higher in the order.
Saturday he finally gave in and penciled the catcher into the cleanup spot.
Narvaez will start in the No. 4 spot for the first time in his career in Saturday afternoon’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, the first game of the day’s doubleheader. The move is a significant lineup change and a major vote of confidence in the rookie, who is batting .349 with a 1.015 OPS since April 18.
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Narvaez will bat behind Jarren Duran, Rafael Devers and Wilyer Abreu, all left-handed hitters. Nick Sogard will start at third base in place of Alex Bregman, who left Friday’s game with quad tightness, and Abraham Toro will start at first.
Hunter Dobbins (2-1, 3.62) will take the mound for Boston against Baltimore’s Zach Eflin (3-2, 5.08). The Red Sox also announced they have called up right-hander Cooper Criswell as their 27th man for the doubleheader.
First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
Red Sox lineup
Jarren Duran LF
Rafael Devers DH
Wilyer Abreu RF
Carlos Narvaez C
Nick Sogard 3B
Trevor Story SS
Abraham Toro 1B
David Hamilton 2B
Ceddanne Rafaela CF
Hunter Dobbins P
How to watch
When: 1:05 p.m.
Where: Fenway Park, Boston
Broadcast info: NESN, FS1, MLB Network (out-of-market only), WEEI 93.7 FM, WCCM 1490 AM (Spanish), WESX 1230 AM (Spanish)