Red Sox move outfielder back to leadoff spot in lineup for middle game vs. Royals

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Red Sox Jarren Duran - Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

After falling to the Boston Red Sox fell to the Kansas City Royals 6-1 on Friday, the two teams will meet for the second game of the series on Saturday at Fenway Park.

For the matchup, Boston will send Kutter Crawford to the mound while Kansas City will counter with Seth Lugo.

Here's Alex Cora's lineup for the middle game:

  1. Jarren Duran CF
  2. David Hamilton 2B
  3. Masataka Yoshida DH
  4. Rafael Devers 3B
  5. Rob Refsnyder LF
  6. Wilyer Abreu RF
  7. Dom Smith 1B
  8. Reese McGuire C
  9. Ceddanne Rafaela SS

Crawford has been pretty good for Boston this year, posting a 3.24 ERA (21st in baseball and a 1.07 WHIP (19th) while striking out 106 (tied for 29th) over 18 starts. His last was arguably his best of the year, tossing six scoreless innings while allowing just four hits. Five Royals have hits off of him in his career - Adam Frazier (1-for-3 with a walk), Maikel Garcia (1-for-3), Michael Massey (2-for-2 with two walks), MJ Melendez (2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs) and Bobby Witt Jr. (1-for-4 with a walk).

Lugo has been incredible for Kansas City this year in his 19 starts, recording a 2.21 ERA (first) and a 1.04 WHIP (13th) while striking out 110 (tied for 24th). He's allowed two or fewer runs in each of his last five starts. He's only faced two Red Sox in his career - Smith (0-for-2) and O'Neill (0-for-5).

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Mike Masala previously served as the Managing Editor of USA TODAY's Dolphins Wire as well as a contributing writer at Patriots Wire. Follow on Twitter/X: @Mike_Masala