:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56662463/843519544.0.jpg)
Yesterday I called the Red Sox’s three-game division lead “firm” and it was not appreciated:
@bryanjoiner "firmly in first place" what an idiot, 3 games and shrinking with the manager RESTING players for no apparent reason
— The Elusive Mother R (@MotherRobinson3) September 12, 2017
I thought it was four games, which is at least arguably firm, whereas three is really pushing it. The Sox thus now arguably have a firm lead. Don’t be this person. Be firm, but don’t be jerks.
Tonight it’s Doug Fister vs. Jharel Cotton. Eduardo Nunez is out for a bit now, and in the lineup shuffling Xander Bogaerts (!) is in the leadoff spot. Otherwise it’s more or less what you would expect. Here are the full lineups:
Game 145, September 13, 2017 vs. A’s
| Batting Order | A's | Red Sox |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Order | A's | Red Sox |
| 1 | Marcus Semien, SS | Xander Bogaerts, SS |
| 2 | Matt Joyce, LF | Dustin Pedroia, 2B |
| 3 | Jed Lowrie, 2B | Andrew Benintendi, LF |
| 4 | Khris Davis, DH | Mookie Betts, RF |
| 5 | Matt Olson, 1B | Mitch Moreland, 1B |
| 6 | Chad Pinder, RF | Hanley Ramirez, DH |
| 7 | Bruce Maxwell, C | Rafael Devers, 3B |
| 8 | Matt Chapman, 3B | Sandy Leon, C |
| 9 | Boog Powell, CF | Jackie Bradley Jr., CF |
| SP | Jharel Cotton, RHP | Doug Fister, RHP |