Red Sox Reveal Lineup For Win-Or-Go-Home Playoff Game Vs. Yankees

The stage is set for Thursday’s winner-take-all Game 3 between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.

Alex Cora used the same lineup in the first two games against left-handed aces Max Fried and Carlos Rodón. As expected, he made some changes with right-hander Cam Schlittler starting Game 3 for New York.

Jarren Duran moves back to the leadoff role after batting seventh on Tuesday and Wednesday. Trevor Story and Alex Bregman remain the lone constants hitting No. 2 and 3, but Masataka Yoshida replaces platoon partner Rob Refsnyder as the designated hitter in the cleanup role.

Ceddanne Rafaela moves up to No. 5, a spot in which the center fielder logged 11 plate appearances during the regular season.

Nate Lowe draws his first start of the series at first base. Romy Gonzalez remains in the lineup without his preferred platoon advantage, but he drops down from fourth to ninth. Gonzalez will shift to second base in favor of Nick Sogard.

Carlos Narváez will catch his third straight game, batting No. 7 after two days at No. 5. The right-handed Wilyer Abreu received the nod in right field over Nate Eaton in the No. 8 spot.

Meanwhile, the Yankees made some noticeable adjustments to their Game 3 starting lineup. Unlike Game 1, Aaron Boone is starting Ben Rice and Jazz Chisholm Jr. against a fellow lefty.

Paul Goldschmidt is noticeably sitting despite batting .336/.411/.570 against southpaws this season. Amed Rosario, who started Game 1 at second base, will play third base instead of Ryan McMahon.

Game 3 begins Thursday at 8:08 p.m. ET on ESPN. The winner advances to play the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Division Series.