BOSTON — Newcomer Taylor Motter will lead off for the Boston Red Sox on Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Red Sox and Rays play the first game of their three-game series at 1:10 p.m. here at Fenway Park.
Motter has a .262 on-base percentage in 435 major league plate appearances. So he’s an interesting choice to bat leadoff.
The right-handed hitter has a .275 OBP against left-handers. The Red Sox are facing southpaw Ryan Yarbrough (8-4, 4.50 ERA).
Motter went 25-for-60 (.417) with a .545 OBP and .950 slugging percentage at Triple A this season.
“Just get a pitch, hit it in the air and give us a lead,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “He put two good at-bats yesterday. He was having a great season in Triple A. I was watching video. I think his swing should play against Yarbrough. ... He might get three at-bats against the lefty, give us a boost and get us going.”
The Red Sox claimed Motter off waivers from the Rockies on Thursday. This will be his first start for Boston. He’s 0-for-1 with a walk since joining Boston. He also got picked off first base in a one-run game to end the seventh inning Sunday.
Chris Sale starts for Boston.
The Red Sox have won all four of Sale’s starts this season. He’s 3-0 with a 2.53 ERA (21.1 innings, six earned runs), 24 strikeouts and five walks. He allowed two runs in 6 innings against the Rays at Tropicana Field on Wednesday.
Boston Red Sox lineup
1. Taylor Motter 2B
2. Kyle Schwarber DH
3. Hunter Renfroe RF
4. J.D. Martinez LF
5. Rafael Devers 3B
6. Bobby Dalbec 1B
7. Alex Verdugo CF,
8. Christian Vázquez C
9. Jonathan Araúz SS
Pitching matchup: Ryan Yarbrough (8-4, 4.50 ERA) vs. LHP Chris Sale (3-0, 2.53 ERA)
Red Sox claim Geoff Hartlieb off waivers from New York Mets, option RHP to Worcester
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