Tyler O'Neill returns to the Red Sox lineup; Triston Casas batting third after big Sunday

Image courtesy of The Boston Globe

The Red Sox are set to play their final six games of the season and are still in the hunt for the final American League wild card spot, but just barely. Boston took the day/night doubleheader from the Twins on Sunday and sits four games back of the Royals and Tigers.

The Sox will begin a three-game series with the Blue Jays north of the border on Monday night. Tanner Houck will be on the mound for the opener, making his 30th start of the season a new career high.

Houck is 0-1 with a 3.94 ERA in seven appearances (six starts) against the Blue Jays. The All-Star ranks sixth among American League pitchers fWAR at 3.9 and is seventh in quality starts with 19. Boston has won two of his last three starts after losing each of his previous seven. 

Tyler O’Neill returns to the lineup after missing the day/night doubleheader with the Twins on Sunday with back tightness; he will bat fourth and be the designated hitter.

Triston Casas was a massive reason the Sox won the first game of the doubleheader on Sunday against the Twins. The slugger crushed three homers in the opening game, two of which came off Twins starter Pablo López.

Boston Red Sox prospect Hunter Dobbins talks Triple-A, Polar Park, offseason goals, and more

Casas became the first Red Sox hitter to belt three home runs in a game since Trevor Story on May 19, 2022, versus the Mariners. He will bat third and play first base in the series opener.

Jarren Duran is in left field and leads off; he also leads the American League with 46 doubles. Duran has hits in his last three games and is 4-for-12 over that span. He ranks fourth in the Majors in bWAR at 8.6 and tied for seventh in fWAR at 6.5. The American League All-Star MVP could join Ty Cobb as the only player to lead the AL in both doubles and triples.

Trevor Story continues to climb up in the Red Sox lineup; he will bat second and play shortstop. Nick Sogard will play third base and bat seventh. Romy Gonzalez had been getting starts at the hot corner after Rafael Devers went on the injured list with shoulder inflammation.

Red Sox roster moves

The Red Sox will place closer Kenley Jansen on the injured list with shoulder inflammation, ending his season. Boston recalled right-handed reliever Chase Shugart from Triple-A Worcester to take his spot on the expanded 28-man roster.

Shugart, 27, has appeared in three games for Boston this season, his Major League debut, recording a 6.00 ERA in six innings of work.

Red Sox to place Kenley Jansen on IL; Casas offensive explosion; pitching probables in Toronto

Key stats and Red Sox lineup

Red Sox vs. Bassitt: Wilyer Abreu 2-8, Triston Casas 1-4, Jarren Duran 2-12, Romy González 0-3, Tyler O’Neill 1-12, Ceddanne Rafaela 1-6, Trevor Story 1-3, Enmanuel Valdez 0-4, Connor Wong 1-8, Masataka Yoshida 6-16

Blue Jays starter: RHP Chris Bassitt (10-13, 4.16 ERA)

Blue Jays vs. Houck: Addison Barger 1-5, Ernie Clement 1-2, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 5-15, Spencer Horwitz 1-4, Alejandro Kirk 0-9, Davis Schneider 1-6, George Springer 0-10

Red Sox (78-78) lineup at Blue Jays (73-78):

Image courtesy of Getty Images

1. Jarren Duran LF

2. Trevor Story SS

3. Triston Casas 1B

4. Tyler O’Neill DH

5. Wilyer Abreu RF

6. Connor Wong C

7. Nick Sogard 3B

8. Vaughn Grissom 2B

9. Ceddanne Rafaela CF

SP: RHP Tanner Houck (8-10, 3.21 ERA)

The first pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. and can be seen on NESN, Fubo, and Sling TV, and it can be heard on WEEI 93.7 FM.