Red Sox vs. Rays lineups: Going for the sweep on YouTube

The Red Sox, hopefully energized by last night’s dramatic walk-off win, look to complete a sweep of the Rays behind Nathan Eovaldi this afternoon at Fenway Park (1:10 p.m., YouTube. The game is only on YouTube, per RedSox.com. It’s a thing. Here is why it is on YouTube. Here is the link to watch on YouTube. There are exactly two places to watch this game: Fenway Park and, as you now know, YouTube. You have been warned.)

So how ‘bout that game last night? That was fun. ICYMI:

This comes after a classic Matt Barnes performance, comebacks in the 9th and 11th innings to tie it, and a fielding boner by Just Dingers himself, but such redemptions are what make baseball that is, dare we say, watchable? (Provided, today, that you have access to YouTube.)

Anyhow the schedule does not accommodate hangovers unless it rains. It will not rain today, at least that’s what the computer tells me. Nathan Eovaldi is back on the mound after a strong first outing, going 5²⁄₃ and allowing a single run while making fools of the Orioles who would, of course, have last laugh:

Eovaldi will be matched by Ryan Yarbrough, an impressively soft-throwing lefty who induces soft contact by trade. Facing down Yarbrough will be a lineup that’s undergone the extra innings night game-to-early afternoon game makeover; Kiké Hernández and Rafael Devers, both lefties, are at the top of the order, befitting Yarbrough’s mild reverse splits from last year. Christian Vázquez is DHing, which means Kevin Plawecki is at catcher and batting ninth. Bobby Dalbec is back at first base, while Marwin Gonzalez finally gets a day off. The Rays have the regular guys out there. Throw back some coffee, people! It’s time for maybe the most consequential game since 2019! .500. What a concept!