The Boston Red Sox are in Tampa Bay and preparing for Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the A.L. East Champion Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night at 8:07 p.m.
Boston (93-70), who ousted their long time rival the New York Yankees 6-2 in the Wild Card Game on Tuesday night at Fenway Park, also announced their roster for the best of five ALDS. Off the roster names for the series include Matt Barnes, Hirokazu Sawumara, Darwinzon Hernandez, Jonathan Arauz, and Jarren Duran. JD Martinez has been added back on the playoff roster after an ankle injury last Sunday forced him to miss Tuesday’s game, while utility man Danny Santana and pitchers Martin Perez and Josh Taylor have also been added back to the active roster by the club.
Tampa Bay, who won 100 games in the regular season to win the division by eight games over Boston and New York, are scheduled to start right handed pitcher Shane McClanahan (10-6, 3.43 ERA) in the opening game at Tropicana Field. The Sox will counter with lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (13-8, 4.74). The Rays won the season series 11-8. Chris Lessner from Eastern Maine Sports will be in attendance on Sunday evening at 4:07 p.m. for Game 3 of the series when the scene shifts to Fenway Park.
Here is the Sox roster headed into the ALDS:
Pitchers- Rodriguez, Chris Sale, Nathan Eovaldi, Nick Pivetta, Tanner Houck, Ryan Brasier, Austin Davis, Adam Ottavino, Perez, Garrett Richards, Hansel Robles, Taylor, Garrett Whitlock
Catchers- Christian Vazquez, Kevin Plawecki
Infielders- Christian Arroyo, Bobby Dalbec, Travis Shaw, Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers
Outfielders- Martinez, Alex Verdugo, Kyle Schwarber, Hunter Renfroe
Utility OF/IF- Kike Hernandez, Santana
