Red Sox Roster Cheatsheet vs. Kershaw: “Lefty Masher” at Second & Rafaela Back in CF
With Clayton Kershaw toeing the rubber for the Dodgers, Boston manager Alex Cora appears to be mixing things up—moving Ceddanne Rafaela from center field to second base to pair a lefty-mashing bat against one of LA’s toughest left-handed pitchers.
Defensive Shuffle & Strategic Hit
On July 25, Cora announced that “Ceddanne Rafaela would get increased playing time at second base” following the recall of David Hamilton after Marcelo Mayer was placed on the injured list (Reuters). This switch seems tactical: Rafaela’s .271 average with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs reflects a surge of midseason production that Boston is eager to leverage against a southpaw like Kershaw (Reuters).
⚾ Rafaela’s Thunderous Offensive Spike
Since June 1, Rafaela has erupted into one of the most productive hitters in the majors: .314/.347/.642 slugging with 11 homers and a 168 wRC+ that ranks him among the elite in recent months (MLB.com). July has been even more electrifying – a ridiculous 1.236 OPS with a 236 wRC+, 17.9% barrel rate, and 51.3% hard-hit rate (MLB.com). Just days ago on July 12, he belted a walk-off two‑run shot over the Green Monster to spark Boston’s eighth straight win (Boston.com).
Elite Defense—Now on the Dirt
Though primarily known for his Gold Glove-caliber center field play—boasting +15 Defensive Runs Saved and 14 Outs Above Average this season—Rafaela’s role at second base will likely be a temporary matchup adjustment rather than a long-term shift (MLB.com). Boston’s desire to field him in center as much as possible persists, but this presents an intriguing wrinkle for tonight’s matchup (yardbarker.com).
Likely Starting Alignment vs. LAD
Here’s a projected Boston lineup given the latest moves and reports:
- Jarren Duran (LF)
- Lefty-masher at 2B: Ceddanne Rafaela
- Alex Bregman (3B)
- Triston Casas (1B)
- Trevor Story (SS)
- Wilyer Abreu (RF)
- Connor Wong (C)
- Roman Anthony (OF depth)
- Other bench: David Hamilton recalled but likely road extra-inning pinch roles
This overal structure leans into Rafaela’s hot bat and locks down Boston’s usual outfield trio of Duran, Abreu, and Anthony, as indicated by Cora (Wikipedia, Reuters).
Why Move Rafaela for Kershaw?
- Lefty Power Edge: Facing a left-hander like Clayton Kershaw, Rafaela’s recent hard-hitting surge makes him a suitable choice over neutral/righty-only bats.
- Defensive Reliability: Though not his primary role, Rafaela’s athleticism and elite defensive instincts mean he can handle second base competently for this matchup.
- Offensive Firepower: With 14 HR and nearly 50 RBIs this season, his high-floor bat offers more upside than typical infielders like Hamilton or Mayer when petals across the line.
Matchup Spotlights
- Clayton Kershaw likely starts with a steady mid-3.00 ERA (4–1 record), known for keeping hitters off-balance with changing speeds.
- Rafaela’s plate discipline improvements—lower strikeout and chase rates—somewhat tame against Kershaw’s break-sliders and curveballs (MLB.com).
- Boston’s plan: stack high-contact hitters like Rafaela early in the order to neutralize Kershaw’s early innings and force lineup depth challenges late in the game.
Rafaela’s Broader Trajectory
Since receiving an eight-year extension in 2024, Rafaela’s evolution into a dual-threat asset has accelerated. Once praised mostly for defense and baserunning, he’s blossomed into a regular who doesn’t just “help.” He carries the team when he’s locked in—just ask fans who witnessed his walk-off bomb vs. Tampa Bay on July 12 (NBC Boston, Boston.com).
While the Red Sox overall surged past .500 after a mid-June slump, much of that momentum has come from Rafaela’s hand: a batting average climb (.246 to .271), exit velocity leap, and eye-popping advanced metrics buoying runs above replacement rankings (MLB.com).
✅ Final Take: Cora’s Tactical Flip
This isn’t permanent positional surgery—it’s a targeted offensive adjustment. With second base suddenly vacated due to Mayer’s wrist injury, Rafaela steps in to exploit Kershaw’s left-handed matchup advantage. Plus, his elite defense and speed provide positional margin for error.
Expect the Red Sox to start strong, banking on Rafaela’s scorching bat to set the tone. If Boston can jump on Kershaw early, leave him in longer, and lean into that versatility when needing defensive pivot, it could be a night where the “lefty masher” at 2B makes all the difference.
Stay tuned. If this plan pays off, don’t be surprised if Rafaela’s bat stays active in hot spots going forward.
Tonight’s pitching matchup: LHP Clayton Kershaw (LAD) vs. RHP Garrett Crochet (BOS) — a duel of experience vs. youth, with Boston banking on speed and recent firepower to tilt the opener in their favor (bleacherreport.com, CT Insider).
