:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60636205/usa-today-9565581.0.0.0.jpg)
Well that's a lot of starters:
An interesting arrangement from John Farrell today, who's trying out Brock Holt in the #2 spot and shifting Xander Bogaerts down to sixth. And y'know, it makes some sense. Bogaerts has never really gotten back to his early-season heights, but has been hitting the ball with some decent power. Holt, meanwhile, has been the more reliable on-base threat, with an OBP over .340 both during the past month and since he returned from his concussion at the beginning of July.
Given that this is how he's got Holt and Bogaerts lined up in a full batting order, it's fair to say this might be what we're going to see in October. As for why everyone's playing...well, the Sox would certainly like to stay ahead of the Indians over these last few games, and if the priority is to keep their players healthy, they also can't let them forget how to play baseball by taking the intervening week off.
The same is true for Rick Porcello, who is likely lined up to start game one in just six days. That's good for a standard rest plus a day, which should have him at full strength, but keep him from having any chance to develop rust. This is his last test of the regular season, but the plans have been made. He's the top guy so long as he leaves the game healthy. Knock on all the damn wood.
First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. ET with broadcasts on NESN, ESPN2, and WEEI.