Red Sox Seek Redemption Against Orioles in Monday Matinee

BALTIMORE — The Boston Red Sox aim to turn around their sluggish start to the season as they face the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of a three-game series at Camden Yards on Monday afternoon.

The Red Sox, coming off a disappointing 1-3 road trip in Texas, will start against left-handed pitcher Cade Povich (0-0, 0.00 ERA) of the Orioles. Boston is looking to capitalize on their matchup against Povich, especially in light of a potent offensive output from players like Rob Refsnyder and Romy González, who replace Wilyer Abreu and Triston Casas in the lineup.

Manager Alex Cora confirmed the changes during a pre-game media briefing, emphasizing the importance of giving all players the opportunity to contribute early in the season. “It’s not about Casas, it’s about the other guys. They need to play, too,” he said.

Casas enters the game struggling, having gone 1-for-16 with seven strikeouts in the opening series. In contrast, Abreu has been on fire, hitting .700 with two home runs and six RBIs. Cora articulated the need for other players to get at-bats, stating, “Ref (Rob Refsnyder) hasn’t played, Romy (Gonzalez) hasn’t played. They gotta play. Today’s the day.”

Refsynder, who has a strong track record against left-handed pitchers, boasted a .302 batting average and .941 OPS against southpaws last season. He takes over right field duties, while González will play first base, providing the Red Sox with right-handed options against a lefty starter.

The full lineups for Monday’s game feature some heavy hitters. For the Red Sox, Jarren Duran leads off, followed by Rafael Devers, Alex Bregman, and Refsnyder. Meanwhile, the Orioles’ lineup includes young stars Jordan Westburg and Adley Rutschman, and will be complemented by Povich on the mound.

According to Cora, it remains important for players like Refsnyder to capitalize on their playing time, especially against left-handed pitching. “It’s the first week of the season, and we’re not gonna face a lefty probably until later,” he noted. Cora is seeking to build momentum, as the Red Sox look to bounce back after their Texas struggles.

The game is scheduled to begin at 2:35 p.m. ET, with full coverage available on NESN. Both teams are eager to make an early-season statement as they vie for positioning in the American League East.