Following a crushing 8-1 defeat to the New York Yankees in the series opener on Friday night at Fenway Park, the Boston Red Sox are gearing up for a Saturday showdown in the second of three games.
Boston’s strategy for revenge includes sending Cooper Criswell to the mound. Criswell, who’s been holding his own with a 4.13 ERA in 11 appearances this season, will face a formidable opponent in New York’s Carlos Rodon. Rodon has been dazzling for the Yankees, sporting a sharp 2.93 ERA across 14 starts.
After a disappointing 8-1 loss to the New York Yankees in the series opener at Fenway Park, the Boston Red Sox will look to bounce back in the middle game on Saturday. Alex Cora has set his lineup for this crucial matchup:
- Jarren Duran – CF
- Rob Refsnyder – RF
- Tyler O’Neill – LF
- Rafael Devers – 3B
- Connor Wong – C
- Masataka Yoshida – DH
- Jamie Westbrook – 2B
- Bobby Dalbec – 1B
- Ceddanne Rafaela – SS
On the mound for the Red Sox will be Cooper Criswell. In his 11 appearances (10 starts) this season, Criswell has posted a 4.13 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. Not bad for someone who started the year in Triple-A. Notably, only two Yankees have recorded hits off Criswell: Trent Grisham (1-for-1) and Alex Verdugo (1-for-1 with an RBI).
The Yankees will counter with Carlos Rodon, who has been stellar in his 14 starts this season, boasting a 2.93 ERA (13th in MLB) and a 1.05 WHIP (21st). The Red Sox lineup has some experience against Rodon, with five players having recorded hits:
- Bobby Dalbec (1-for-2 with a solo home run)
- Rafael Devers (2-for-8)
- Reese McGuire (1-for-2)
- Ceddanne Rafaela (1-for-3 with a solo home run)
- Rob Refsnyder (3-for-7 with two walks)
With the Red Sox looking to even the series and the Yankees aiming to continue their momentum, this matchup is set to be an intriguing contest at Fenway Park.
