Red Sox Shift Masataka Yoshida to Third Base for Sunday's Decisive Rubber Game

Boston’s clubhouse buzzed a little louder on Friday night when manager Alex Cora announced a surprise tweak to the Sunday lineup: Masataka Yoshida, the Japanese‑born outfielder who’s been grinding for the Sox since his debut, will be slotting in at third base for the rubber game.

It’s not the first time the club has shuffled players around – Cora has been known to experiment, especially when the roster is thinned by injuries. But moving Yoshida to the hot corner is a bigger leap than the occasional pinch‑hit or defensive shift. The 28‑year‑old, who signed from the Orix Buffaloes two seasons ago, has mostly patrolled the outfield and occasionally held the first‑base bag. Yet his quick hands and solid arm have drawn whispers that he could handle the bulkier position.

Yoshida’s offensive numbers have been encouraging. Over the past two weeks he’s collected three doubles, a triple and a go‑ahead RBI, batting .312 with a .408 on‑base percentage. Those stats, while not eye‑popping, show a player who’s finding his rhythm in a lineup that’s been scrambling for consistency.

Defensively, the move is a gamble. The regular third baseman, Matt Chapman, is nursing a strained right hamstring and was placed on the 10‑day injured list earlier this week. That leaves a vacuum at a spot that’s traditionally a defensive anchor. In practice, Cora said, Yoshida “looked comfortable,” throwing the ball across the diamond with a smooth, low‑trajectory motion that reminded the coaching staff of a young Derek Jeter‑type infielder.

The rest of the lineup stays largely unchanged. First‑baseman J.D. Martinez will be back in the batter’s box, hoping to spark a resurgence after a recent slump. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts returns from a brief stint on the IL, while outfield spots stay as they are, with Alex Verdugo and Rafael Devers anchoring the left and right fields respectively. Reliever Nathan Eovaldi will start on the mound, tasked with keeping the Orioles’ offense in check.

For the Sox, this game isn’t just about one win; it’s about clinching the series and maintaining momentum in a crowded AL East race. Boston sits a half‑game behind the Yankees, and a sweep would tighten the division standings while giving the team a morale boost heading into the weekend.

Fans have mixed feelings. Some are excited to see Yoshida’s athleticism up close at third, while others worry about the defensive risk. “It’s a bold move,” said longtime Red Sox supporter Marge Thompson, “but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Yoshida. He’s a hustler.”

Whatever the outcome, Sunday’s rubber game will be a test of depth, adaptability, and the kind of small‑town grit that has defined Boston baseball for generations.