Red Sox Face Dodgers in Fenway Pitching Duel

The Boston Red Sox are set to face the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fenway Park in a high-profile pitching matchup between All-Star left-handers Clayton Kershaw and Garrett Crochet. Kershaw, with a 3.27 ERA, opposes Crochet, who leads the American League with a 2.19 ERA and 165 strikeouts. Red Sox manager Alex Cora has adjusted the lineup in response, moving Rob Refsnyder to leadoff DH and placing Romy Gonzalez at cleanup, while Jarren Duran bats seventh. Ceddanne Rafaela, who had been filling in at second base due to Marcelo Mayer’s injury, returns to center field for this game amid his post-All-Star break struggles at the plate. Boston continues to seek pitching help before the trade deadline, with White Sox starter Adrian Houser emerging as a target. The Dodgers won the series opener 5-2, intensifying the Red Sox's efforts to halt their recent slump.