Rafael Devers not in Red Sox lineup vs. the Blue Jays on Tuesday night
After dropping both games on Monday, the Red Sox are looking to get back on track and snap a five-game losing streak. They’ll do it without Rafael Devers, who is getting the night off to rest his barking shoulder.
Red Sox skipper Alex Cora told reporters that Devers could see more than just tonight off to deal with his nagging injury.
Boston will start Romy Gonzalez at third base, and he will bat seventh in the lineup. The utilityman has played in 63 games this season and has had hits in his last two games. In addition, Gonzalez has hits in 22 of his 27 starts; he’s batting .297 with an .795 OPS with two homers and nine RBI over that stretch.
Devers has started 118 of the Red Sox’ 131 games this year and missed time to deal with a sore shoulder and knee pain. The All-Star third baseman played in both games on Monday, going 1-for-7 with two strikeouts and an error.
Cooper Criswell will start for the Red Sox and is coming off a decent start against the Astros on Aug. 21. The right-hander allowed just one earned run over 4 2/3 frames in the outing. He is 5-4 with a 4.41 ERA in 20 appearances this season. As a starter, Criswell owns a 3.88 ERA in 14 starts, while posting a 7.30 ERA as a reliever.
This will be the first time Criswell will face the Blue Jays this season. The tall righty has faced the Jays twice in his career, posting a 5.68 ERA with seven strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings.
Wilyer Abreu returns to the lineup and will play right field while batting fifth. He was ejected in the bottom of the third inning on Monday night for arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Paul Clemons. It was the first time he was ejected in his big league career.
Abreu has faced Blue Jays starter Yariel Rodríguez once, earning a walk. David Hamilton, Jarren Duran, and Devers all faced Rodríguez in the past, all going hitless in one at-bat against the hard-throwing righty.
Ceddanne Rafaela is back in the lineup after getting the night cap off on Monday night. Over his last 67 games, dating back to June 6, he has a .307 batting average and .770 OPS with 10 doubles, two triples, six homers, and 28 RBI with nine stolen bags.
The Red Sox made a series of roster moves, including calling up left-hander Rich Hill, righty Greg Weissert, and Josh Winckowski from Triple-A Worcester. Boston designated right-hander Brad Keller for assignment and placed relievers Lucas Sims (right lat strain) and Luis Garcia (right elbow inflammation) on the injured list.
Boston sits five games behind the Minnesota Twins for the third and final American League Wild Card spot heading into Tuesday night.
Blue Jays vs. Criswell: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1-4, Alejandro Kirk 1-3, George Springer 1-3, Daulton Varsho 2-2
Guerrero went a combined 3-for-7 between both games on Monday, recording a double, knocking in two runs, and scoring three runs.
Springer homered in both games, homering over the Green Monster in Game 1 and poking a three-run blast around the Pesky Pole in right field in Game 2. He has gone deep four times in his last six games and is 11-for-44 (.250) with six extra-base hits with 10 RBI over his last 10 games.
Red Sox vs. Rodríguez: Wilyer Abreu 0-0, Rafael Devers 0-1, Jarren Duran 0-1, David Hamilton 0-1
Red Sox (67-64) lineup vs. the Blue Jays (65-68):
1. Jarren Duran CF
2. David Hamilton 2B
3. Tyler O’Neill LF
4. Triston Casas 1B
5. Wilyer Abreu RF
6. Masataka Yoshida DH
7. Romy Gonzalez 3B
8. Danny Jansen C
9. Ceddanne Rafaela SS
SP: RHP Cooper Criswell (5-4, 4.41 ERA)
The first pitch is at 7:10 p.m. and can be seen on NESN, FuboTV, or Sling, and it can be heard on WEEI 93.7 FM.
