After wrapping up their sixth series win in a row with a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers Tuesday night, the Boston Red Sox will be resting one of their regulars on Wednesday and infielder Jeter Downs will be making his MLB debut.
Boston will rest Rafael Devers for the series finale, according to manager Alex Cora. Xander Bogaerts was also gonna take a seat, but Cora said he talked himself into the lineup. Downs is the Red Sox #5 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and has hit .180 with 11 homeruns and 11 stolen bases at Triple A Worcester this season. In what will be a shakeup of the lineup Christian Vazquez will catch, Bobby Dalbec will be at first, with Trevor Story at second, Bogaerts at short, and Downs at third. JD Martinez will be the DH. Right to left in the outfield will be Rob Refsnyder, Jarren Duran, and Alex Verdugo. The pitching matchup will be right hander Michael Wacha (Red Sox) against lefty Tarik Skubal (Tigers).
Boston (38-31) enters play on Wednesday 1/2 game behind Toronto for second in the American League East, and also just that 1/2 game back of the Blue Jays for the top AL Wildcard spot. The Sox will head to Cleveland after the finale with the Tigers, to open a three game series on Friday with the Guardians who are currently in a first place tie with Minnesota in the AL Central.
