Over the last three games, the Boston Red Sox have matched the number of losses they were handed in the entire month of July. Looking to end this three-game skid, the lineup is getting a huge boost in the form of trade deadline acquisition Adley Rutschman.
The switch-hitting catcher will make his Red Sox debut on Tuesday night against the Toronto Blue Jays, batting third and receiving for left-hander Patrick Sandoval. Rutschman, who was acquired while on the injured list on the day of the trade deadline on August 3, needed just two rehab games over the weekend and a workout on Monday for his new club to feel comfortable activating him to play.
To do so, the Red Sox are expected to cut ties with fellow catcher Jake Rogers, who came over from Baltimore in the same deal as Rutschman and made a solid impression going 3-for-6 with two doubles and two RBI in two games.
On the mound for the Blue Jays will be AL Cy Young candidate Dylan Cease, who boasts a 2.28 ERA and an AL-best 13.11 strikeouts per nine innings. Cease twirled a gem against the Sox just three starts ago, allowing just one hit and striking out 12 in a complete game shutout at Fenway on July 25.
With Boston's bats going silent in the last three games, they will have their hands full against Cease as he looks to build on his impressive first season in Toronto. But getting Rutschman involved will be a good way to spark some energy into a Red Sox lineup looking to get back to their winning ways.
A five-year veteran and a three-time All-Star, Rutschman holds a career slash line of .254/.342/.414. The 28-year-old has faced Cease 10 times in his career and is 2-for-6 with a double, four walks, and a strikeout.
Rutschman will also be working behind the plate in his first game back from wrist inflammation. Sandoval, who has been solid since his return from Tommy John, will be the first to get in-game reps with the Red Sox' new catcher. The 29-year-old lefty has a 3.38 ERA through five starts as his workload slowly builds back up to where it was when he last pitched in June of 2024.
If and when the Red Sox are able to get fully healthy, some interesting decisions will have to be made at the top of the lineup. The revolving door in the leadoff spot will likely be resolved by a Roman Anthony return, as he shined there in 2025 batting .336 with a 1.003 OPS in the one-hole.
But manager Chad Tracy will have to decide how to make the pieces fit from there, as Ceddanne Rafaela has had an excellent season in the two-hole batting ahead of sluggers Wilyer Abreu (20 HR) and Willson Contreras (23 HR). Though Rafaela has also hit well from the five-spot in limited time there, and he was already moved back for Curtis Mead when he batted second for his Red Sox debut.
Ultimately, Rutschman's ability to get on base with some pop from both sides of the plate gives some added flexibility when placing him in the lineup. It is likely that Tracy will move his new catcher around some to see what fits best for the club now and in the future as they eye a postseason run.
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