PHILADELPHIA — The Red Sox will try to avoid a sweep in Philadelphia on Wednesday night with two of their most potent bats starting the game on the bench.
Against Phillies lefty Jesús Luzardo, both third baseman Alex Bregman and outfielder Roman Anthony are out of the lineup for the series finale at Citizens Bank Park. Bregman, as expected, isn’t starting as part of his slow build-up after returning early from a quad strain. Anthony, who struck out four times in back-to-back games to start the series, is the odd man out of the crowded outfield picture. The rookie has played all five of Boston’s game since the All-Star break.
“It’s more about Chicago,” said manager Alex Cora. “He played a little bit banged up. Taking advantage of today and tomorrow makes sense.”
Jarren Duran is back in the lineup in center field after sitting Tuesday and Wilyer Abreu is the right fielder, getting a rare start against a southpaw. Masataka Yoshida is the designated hitter for the second straight game and Marcelo Mayer is at third base in place of Bregman.
Since returning from the injured list on July 11, Bregman has played two out of every three games. Sitting him Wednesday allows a long period of rest with the team off Thursday. The All-Star, who is still not at 100% running because of the injury, has hit .231 with a .615 OPS in 26 plate appearances since coming back.
“He has been good,” said Cora. “Yesterday, I asked (head athletic trainer) Brandon (Henry) about today. He’s like, ‘We’ll stay with the plan.’ He won’t start today, or he won’t play, then he’ll be ready for Friday. From Friday on, he’ll be full-go.”
The Red Sox will look to avoid a 1-5 road trip to start the second half behind Lucas Giolito, who took the loss in his last outing at Wrigley Field on Friday but has a 5-1 record and 1.43 ERA in 44 innings over seven starts dating back to June 10.
First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ET and the game will air nationally on ESPN.
BOSTON RED SOX (54-49) @ PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (58-43) · CITIZENS BANK PARK · PHILADELPHIA, PA · GAME 104
FIRST PITCH: 7:05 p.m. ET
TV CHANNEL: ESPN (national broadcast)
RADIO: WEEI 93.7 FM
PITCHING PROBABLES: RHP Lucas Giolito (6-2, 3.59 ERA) vs. LHP Jesús Luzardo (8-5, 4.29 ERA)
RED SOX LINEUP:
1) LF Rob Refsnyder
2) CF Jarren Duran
3) 1B Romy Gonzalez
4) SS Trevor Story
5) DH Masataka Yoshida
6) 2B Ceddanne Rafaela
7) RF Wilyer Abreu
8) C Carlos Narváez
9) 3B Marcelo Mayer
PHILLIES LINEUP:
1) SS Trea Turner
2) DH Kyle Schwarber
3) 1B Bryce Harper
4) RF Nick Castellanos
5) C J.T. Realmuto
6) CF Brandon Marsh
7) LF Max Kepler
8) 3B Edmundo Sosa
9) 2B Bryson Stott
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