Over the last few weeks, Alex Cora has mentioned multiple times that sooner or later, the results need to start coming. He’s said that mostly in response to some poor outings out of the bullpen, but it can be extrapolated to the entire roster. The Red Sox are talented enough that we really shouldn’t worry about anything to do with spring training (except injury, obviously) but at the same time you want these guys heading in the right direction heading into the real games. Said games are a week away now, so if they are going to get rolling this is the time. In Thursday’s game against the Rays, mostly regulars will be starting the game. Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts (all of whom had Wednesday off) are all in the lineup, as is Dustin Pedroia. He, of course, is starting the year on the injured list but they still want him to get work to close out the spring. Blake Swihart starts behind the plate. They’ll be going up against Rays prospect Brendan McKay, who is an intriguing two-way player.
On the mound, Hector Velázquez will get the start as he tries to make his way onto the Opening Day roster. It’s unclear as far as I know who will come in after the righty, though Tyler Thornburg will be one of them. The battle for the bullpen is becoming very interesting and perhaps the most interesting thing to watch for Boston this spring.
Here are the full lineups:
Red Sox at Twins, 3/22
Lineup Spot | Red Sox | Twins |
---|---|---|
Lineup Spot | Red Sox | Twins |
1 | Andrew Benintendi, LF | Max Kepler, RF |
2 | Eduardo Núñez, 2B | Jorge Polanco, SS |
3 | Rafael Devers, 3B | Nelson Cruz, DH |
4 | J.D. Martinez, DH | Eddie Rosario, LF |
5 | Xander Bogaerts, SS | C.J. Cron, 1B |
6 | Mitch Moreland, 1B | Marwin Gonzalez, 3B |
7 | Jackie Bradley Jr., CF | Jonathan Schoop, 2B |
8 | Christian Vázquez, C | Jason Castro, C |
9 | Gorkys Hernández, RF | Byron Buxton, CF |
SP | Dan Runzler, LHP | Kyle Gibson, RHP |
Today’s game can be caught locally on NESN and on the radio on 850 AM WEEI. Nationally, you can catch the game on MLB Network, though it will be on a bit of a delay as that broadcast doesn’t start until 8:00 PM ET. Of course, you can also watch on MLB.TV if you are subscribed there. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM ET.