As Red Sox try to finish Bronx sweep, they have unlikely No. 5 hitter playing center field Sunday

As Red Sox try to finish Bronx sweep, they have unlikely No. 5 hitter playing center field Sunday
Nate Eaton is hitting fifth and starting in center field for the Red Sox on Sunday. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)MLB Photos via Getty Images

NEW YORK — Utility man Nate Eaton only has 33 plate appearances in the major leagues this season. Despite that, Eaton will find himself in the middle of the Red Sox’ lineup in primetime Sunday night.

Eaton is starting in center field and hitting fifth for Boston as the club faces the Yankees and lefty Carlos Rodón in the Bronx. Against a southpaw, Alex Cora is once again unleashing a righty-heavy lineup that’ll feature just two left-handed hitters (Roman Anthony and Jarren Duran). First baseman Romy Gonzalez is leading off while Ceddanne Rafaela is in second base, hitting seventh. Rookie Jhostynxon will make his second big league start; he’ll be in search of his first major league hit in the No. 9 hole while playing right field.

The Red Sox, who have won their last eight games against the Yankees, will look to finish off a four-game sweep Sunday night are a 12-1 rout Saturday. Boston has already clinched the season series but will try to keep running up their win total behind righty Dustin May, who owns a 2.87 ERA in three starts with Boston so far. It’ll be May’s first taste of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry.

First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. ET and the game will air on ESPN.

BOSTON RED SOX (71-59) @ NEW YORK YANKEES (69-60) · YANKEE STADIUM · BRONX, NY · GAME 131

FIRST PITCH: 7:10 p.m. ET

TV CHANNEL: ESPN (Sunday Night Baseball)

RADIO: WEEI 93.7 FM

PITCHING PROBABLES: RHP Dustin May (7-9, 4.59 ERA) vs. LHP Carlos Rodón (13-7, 3.24 ERA)

RED SOX LINEUP:

1) 1B Romy Gonzalez

2) 3B Alex Bregman

3) DH Roman Anthony

4) SS Trevor Story

5) CF Nate Eaton

6) LF Jarren Duran

7) 2B Ceddanne Rafaela

8) C Carlos Narváez

9) RF Jhostynxon Garcia

YANKEES LINEUP:

1) CF Trent Grisham

2) DH Aaron Judge

3) 1B Ben Rice

4) LF Cody Bellinger

5) RF Giancarlo Stanton

6) 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr.

7) 3B Ryan McMahon

8) SS José Caballero

9) C Austin Wells

  • Red Sox roster could get three reinforcements from injured list this week
  • With Walker Buehler in bullpen, Red Sox scratch Triple-A lefty ahead of potential team debut
  • Yankees know team needs to ‘pick it up a notch’ after ugly loss to Red Sox
  • Red Sox infielder, recently designated for assignment, accepts being outrighted to Worcester
  • Some Things I Think I Think: An early peek at Red Sox’ schedule for 2026

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