September call-up Enmanuel Valdez will start at second base and bat ninth for the Red Sox vs. the Royals on Saturday. But manager Alex Cora has his other two prospects, Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela, on the bench to begin the game.
First pitch from Kauffman Stadium is at 7:10 p.m., eastern.
The Red Sox were embarrassed 13-2 by the 94-loss Royals on Friday and their playoff odds have dropped to 3.1%, per Fangraphs.com. Boston has lost five straight games dating back to last Sunday.
Valdez is making his first start for Boston since June 7.
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Boston will go with its regular outfield of Adam Duvall in center, Alex Verdugo in right field and Masataka Yoshida in left field. But it might be wise to begin giving Rafaela and Abreu more starts soon to get their feet wet for next yet. Rafaela and Abreu both entered the game in the seventh inning Friday as defensive replacements. Rafaela went 1-for-2 with a single and strikeout. Abreu went 0-for-1 with a walk and strikeout.
Red Sox lineup:
1. Alex Verdugo RF
2. Rafael Devers 3B
3. Justin Turner DH
4. Triston Casas 1B
5. Adam Duvall CF
6. Masataka Yoshida LF
7. Trevor Story SS
8. Reese McGuire C
9. Enmanuel Valdez 2B
Starting pitchers: RHP Tanner Houck (3-8, 4.93 ERA) vs. RHP Alec Marsh (0-7, 5.47 ERA)
