Alex Cora has made an exciting change to the Boston Red Sox lineup by including Roman Anthony, who will be playing right field and hitting fifth in the order during Monday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. This move comes as Wilyer Abreu has been placed on the injured list, making way for the young talent.
Originally, Ceddane Rafaela was set to play right field for the first time in his career. However, in a strategic decision, the team opted to promote Anthony, allowing Rafaela to return to his primary position in center field, where he has proven his valuable defensive skills.
The updated lineup for the game is as follows:
1. Jarren Duran, LF
2. Rafael Devers, DH
3. Abraham Toro, 1B
4. Trevor Story, SS
5. Roman Anthony, RF
6. Kristian Campbell, 2B
7. Marcelo Mayer, 3B
8. Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
9. Connor Wong, C
As the season progresses, the roster is anticipated to grow more competitive with the eventual returns of Alex Bregman and Abreu from injury. This development may indicate a plan for the team to rotate players in right field, particularly between Rafaela and Abreu, as Rafaela has shown solid performance against left-handed pitching this season, while Abreu has struggled, batting just .185 against southpaws.
Fenway Park’s right field presents unique challenges, known for its difficult angles. Rafaela has only played a limited number of innings in right field in his career, but given his quick adaptability, he could learn to navigate the space effectively. After all, playing in right might not be too far removed from his experience in center field, just positioned a bit to the right.
This lineup adjustment reflects the team’s commitment to leveraging its young talent while navigating injuries, and it opens up opportunities for players to showcase their abilities as the season unfolds. With Anthony making his debut in the lineup, fans have a reason to be hopeful about the team’s future prospects.