{"id":706829,"date":"2026-04-05T16:02:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T16:02:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/706829\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T16:02:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T16:02:13","slug":"rain-in-boston-ramon-laureano-atop-the-lineup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/706829\/","title":{"rendered":"Rain in Boston, Ram\u00f3n Laureano atop the lineup"},"content":{"rendered":"

BOSTON \u2014 The grounds crew at Fenway Park covered the infield after Saturday\u2019s 3-2 win<\/a> in anticipation of a storm rolling through the area.<\/p>\n

Rain is expected around Sunday\u2019s 10:35 a.m. PT first pitch and could linger into the evening. This is the Padres\u2019 only trip to Boston, so MLB tends to do everything it can to play games in that situation.<\/p>\n

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BOSTON \u2014 pic.twitter.com\/SVnGpgzGBh<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeff Sanders (@sdutSanders) April 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Provided the Padres play, they will be facing a second left-hander in a row in Ranger Suarez<\/strong> and that, combined with recent trends, has led manager Craig Stammen<\/strong> to try a new leadoff hitter:<\/p>\n

Ram\u00f3n Laureano<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The 31-year-old outfielder is atop the order for just the second time since 2022. He\u2019s just a .208\/.260\/.424 hitter in 154 career plate appearances in that spot, but Laureano leads the Padres so far this season in batting average (.308), slugging (.577) and OPS (.934).<\/p>\n

Laureano is also hitting .333\/.400\/.444 this season against left-handed pitching.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Laureano has kind of been our best at, probably best results and best at bats that we\u2019ve gotten so far,\u201d Stammen said a night before making him his leadoff hitter for the first time. \u201cSo probably see him more at the top of the lineup going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Sunday starters. pic.twitter.com\/7WoSHXv1Mv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Fernando Tatis Jr.<\/strong> (.561 OPS) will bat second, followed by center fielder Jackson Merrill<\/strong> (.574 OPS), third baseman Manny Machado<\/strong> (.667 OPS) and designated hitter Miguel Andujar<\/strong> (.783 OPS).<\/p>\n

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts<\/strong> (.308 OPS) will bat sixth, Nick Castellanos<\/strong> (.445 OPS) will get the start at first base and bat seventh, followed by Jake Cronenworth<\/strong> (.369 OPS) and catcher Luis Campusano<\/strong> (.429 OPS), who is getting his second start of the series and the second pairing with right-hander Walker Buehler<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Here is how the Red Sox (2-6) will line up for the rubber match:<\/p>\n

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Sunday matinee loading. pic.twitter.com\/NMnaWp6fEE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Red Sox (@RedSox) April 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s pitching matchup<\/p>\n

Padres RHP Walker Buehler (0-1, 6.75 ERA)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 31-year-old allowed three runs on five hits, a walk and a hit batter in four innings in his first Padres start. Last year\u2019s struggles began with a 5.45 ERA over 112\u2153 innings with the Red Sox. Sunday will be Buehler\u2019s first regular-season start against the Red Sox. He threw seven shutout innings at Dodger Stadium against the Red Sox in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series, the Dodgers\u2019 only win of the season (in 18 innings).<\/p>\n

Only three Red Sox hitters have history with Buehler:<\/p>\n