Red Sox vs. Yankees Lineups: Porcello against the Yanks....what could go wrong

This is sort of a weird version of a Red Sox-Yankees series in that it is massively important for the Red Sox in a way that is almost impossible to overstate. Meanwhile, it’s mostly just another four-game set for the Yankees, who sit ultra comfortably atop the American League East as we speak. For Boston, it’s not quite imperative that they win three of four, though certainly no one would complain if they did. However, it does feel imperative that they don’t lose three of four or get swept. The latter would be a devastating punch to the gut and could possibly trigger a change in philosophy for the front office heading into the deadline.

All of that is to say: The outlook on everything will be a hell of a lot better if they go out and take this first game of the four-game series, not putting themselves up against the wall right off the bat. It’s going to be a tough one for Boston with Rick Porcello on the mound. As we all know, it’s been a rough year for the Red Sox righty and this last month or so has been particularly tough. He’s had major issues with home runs and hard contact in general, a problem that will not go away against this Yankees lineup. Porcello has already learned that the hard way when he allowed six runs while recording just a single out in London. This is the time for Porcello to turn this around, but that will be a bit easier said than done.

More likely is that, if the Red Sox are going to win this game, it will be because the offense outslugged that of the Yankees. They are going up against something of a wildcard in Masahiro Tanaka, who has had great outings this year but also some duds. An example of the latter came in that same London game mentioned above when he also allowed six runs while recording two outs. The Red Sox will have something close to a normal lineup against the Yankees righty. Chrisitan Vázquez is behind the plate, Mitch Moreland is at first and Brock Holt is at second. Of note is that Michael Chavis is sitting again, though presumably he’ll be available to pinch hit again if needed.

The full lineups are below.