With the injured J.D. Martinez out for Tuesday’s American League Wild Card game, Alex Cora had a different look to his Red Sox lineup.
Kyle Schwarber will lead off against Gerrit Cole against the Yankees, a stark difference from Cora’s lineups this season that have mostly featured Kiké Hernández at the top. Hernández will bat second in the first game he hasn’t led off since June 26. With Martinez out, Cora is alternating between lefties and righties in the first six spots of the order.
On Monday, the manager said he liked Schwarber’s matchup against Cole.
“It’s a challenge to face a guy like Gerrit,” Cora said. “He has a fastball and a slider and he’s one of the best and he has done it. I think Kyle will help us out in that sense. He can catch up with the fastball but at the same time he can work a count. We’re glad that he’s with us, and not only as a player but as a person. He’s been amazing.”
Here’s the Red Sox lineup for Tuesday’s do-or-die game, with Nathan Eovaldi on the mound.
Schwarber DH
Hernández CF
Devers 3B
Bogaerts SS
Verdugo LF
Renfroe RF
Plawecki C
Dalbec 1B
Arroyo 2B
Eovaldi P
