Masataka Yoshida has been one of the most surprising stories of the Boston Red Sox postseason.
In Game 1, Yoshida came off the bench and went 1-for-2 with a two-run single that gave Boston the lead. In Game 2, he delivered again, pinch-hitting with an infield single that nearly slipped through before Jazz Chisholm made a diving stop. Yankees first baseman Ben Rice failed to handle the play cleanly, but the Red Sox could not capitalize with Nate Eaton held at third base. That run would prove costly, as the Red Sox ended up losing 4-3.
Now 2-for-3 in the series, Yoshida has earned his way into the starting lineup for Game 3 against New York right-hander Cam Schlittler. Manager Alex Cora penciled Yoshida into the cleanup spot, also inserting Nathaniel Lowe and Wilyer Abreu while sending Eaton and Nick Sogard to the bench.
Yoshida’s late-season surge has carried over into October. Over his final seven regular-season games, he tallied 11 hits, two home runs and four RBIs while batting .379. The production has been particularly encouraging for Boston, as Yoshida spent much of the season sidelined following shoulder surgery.
On the mound, the Red Sox will lean on rookie left-hander Connelly Early, who made only four regular-season starts. His postseason debut comes with Boston needing a win to secure a spot in the division series.
With Yoshida heating up at the plate and Early tasked with slowing down the Yankees’ offense, Boston will once again count on unlikely contributors to keep its postseason run alive.