{"id":665055,"date":"2026-04-05T18:50:51","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T18:50:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/665055\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T18:50:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T18:50:51","slug":"rain-in-boston-ramon-laureano-atop-the-lineup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/665055\/","title":{"rendered":"Rain in Boston, Ram\u00f3n Laureano atop the lineup"},"content":{"rendered":"

BOSTON \u2014 The grounds crew at Fenway Park covered the infield after Saturday\u2019s 3-2 win<\/a> in anticipation of a storm rolling through the area.<\/p>\n

Rain is expected around Sunday\u2019s 10:35 a.m. PT first pitch and could linger into the evening. This is the Padres\u2019 only trip to Boston, so MLB tends to do everything it can to play games in that situation.<\/p>\n

BOSTON \u2014 pic.twitter.com\/SVnGpgzGBh<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeff Sanders (@sdutSanders) April 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Provided the Padres play, they will be facing a second left-hander in a row in Ranger Suarez and that, combined with recent trends, has led manager Craig Stammen to try a new leadoff hitter:<\/p>\n

Ram\u00f3n Laureano.<\/p>\n

The 31-year-old outfielder is atop the order for just the second time since 2022. He\u2019s just a .208\/.260\/.424 hitter in 154 career plate appearances in that spot, but Laureano leads the Padres so far this season in batting average (.308), slugging (.577) and OPS (.934).<\/p>\n

Laureano is also hitting .333\/.400\/.444 this season against left-handed pitching.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Laureano has kind of been our best at, probably best results and best at bats that we\u2019ve gotten so far,\u201d Stammen said a night before making him his leadoff hitter for the first time. \u201cSo probably see him more at the top of the lineup going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sunday starters. pic.twitter.com\/7WoSHXv1Mv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Fernando Tatis Jr. (.561 OPS) will bat second, followed by center fielder Jackson Merrill (.574 OPS), third baseman Manny Machado (.667 OPS) and designated hitter Miguel Andujar (.783 OPS).<\/p>\n

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts (.308 OPS) will bat sixth, Nick Castellanos (.445 OPS) will get the start at first base and bat seventh, followed by Jake Cronenworth (.369 OPS) and catcher Luis Campusano (.429 OPS), who is getting his second start of the series and the second pairing with right-hander Walker Buehler.<\/p>\n

Here is how the Red Sox (2-6) will line up for the rubber match:<\/p>\n

Sunday matinee loading. pic.twitter.com\/NMnaWp6fEE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Red Sox (@RedSox) April 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s pitching matchup<\/p>\n

Padres RHP Walker Buehler (0-1, 6.75 ERA)<\/p>\n

The 31-year-old allowed three runs on five hits, a walk and a hit batter in four innings in his first Padres start. Last year\u2019s struggles began with a 5.45 ERA over 112\u2153 innings with the Red Sox. Sunday will be Buehler\u2019s first regular-season start against the Red Sox. He threw seven shutout innings at Dodger Stadium against the Red Sox in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series, the Dodgers\u2019 only win of the season (in 18 innings).<\/p>\n

Only three Red Sox hitters have history with Buehler:<\/p>\n

SS Trevor Story (7-for-35, 2B, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, BB, 8 Ks)
\n1B Willson Contreras (3-for-15, HR, 3 RBIs, 5 Ks)
\nINF Isiah Kiner-Falefa (0-for-2, BB, K)<\/p>\n

Red Sox LHP Ranger Suarez (0-1, 8.31 ERA)<\/p>\n

The longtime Philly allowed four runs in 4\u2153 innings in his Boston debut. He struck out three and allowed seven hits and a walk. Two hits left the yard. Suarez has a 2.39 ERA in 37 regular-season innings against the Padres, but he lost his lone start against them last year (6\u2154 IP, 3 ER).<\/p>\n

Here is how Suarez has fared in the regular season against current Padres:<\/p>\n

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