Three things jump out about tonight’s lineup card against the Angels:
1) Patrick Sandoval will be on the mound.
This is noteworthy because the Sox started Brayan Bello yesterday, and could’ve started Jake Bennett on normal rest tonight with Ranger Suarez also going on normal rest tomorrow. Instead, Bennett gets bumped back a day and is tomorrow’s starter, and that leaves a really interesting – and yet to be announced — decision that will have to be made for Friday’s starter.
Whoever lands there will
be (currently) in line to start Game 1 of the Wild Card Series on September 29th if you simply plot the rotation forward. Do the Sox keep the Gray and Tolle lineup for those two turns against the Royals and slot Ranger Suarez behind them, or do they put Ranger Suarez in line to start one of those games pushing Tolle back? Highly interesting and potential consequential stuff coming in the next 72 hours.
2) Reid Detmers will start for the Angles.
This means the Red Sox have the opportunity to load the lineup with guys who can bat from the right side (even though Detmers doesn’t really have the splits you’d expect). In any case, Jarren Duran and Mickey Gasper will start the night on the bench, and Andruw Monasterio will be at DH. That combination of events leads us to …
3) Roman Anthony gets the start in left field.
Since returning from the IL on August 30th, Roman Anthony has started all nine games. However, most of them have been at DH with a couple in right field. Tonight will be the first time he plays left field since the spring, and considering it’s his likely long-term position with the Red Sox, it’s very refreshing to see. He’s been back, but now he feels fully back!
⚾️ First Pitch: 6:45pm — Fenway Park, Boston, MA
📺 TV: NESN
📻 Radio: WEEI
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