Red Sox Sit Hot Hitter, Struggling Newcomer Against Brewers Ace

Masataka Yoshida, Caleb Durbin out of lineup as Boston looks to snap 3-game skid

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:13pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring bold, neon-colored brushstrokes that capture the kinetic energy and intensity of a high-stakes baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers.An electric atmosphere at Fenway Park as the Red Sox look to overcome their recent struggles against the Brewers' ace pitcher.Boston Today

The Boston Red Sox will be without two of their key offensive players - Masataka Yoshida and Caleb Durbin - as they take on the Milwaukee Brewers and ace pitcher Jacob Misiorowski on Tuesday night. Yoshida has been swinging a hot bat lately, but manager Alex Cora has decided to give veteran utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa the start at third base instead. Durbin, a recent acquisition, has also been benched as the Red Sox try to get back on track after losing three straight games.

Why it matters

The Red Sox are off to a slow 2-8 start to the season and need to find a way to get their offense going against one of the top pitchers in the National League. Sitting two of their better hitters is a risky move, but Cora is hoping the changes will provide a spark for the struggling team.

The details

Yoshida has been one of the few bright spots for the Red Sox, batting .333 with a .975 OPS over his last 17 games dating back to last September. Durbin, on the other hand, has struggled mightily since joining the team, prompting Cora to give Kiner-Falefa the start at third base. The Red Sox will counter Misiorowski with their own ace, left-hander Garrett Crochet, in what should be a pitchers' duel at Fenway Park.

  • The Red Sox and Brewers will face off on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 6:45 p.m. ET.

The players

Masataka Yoshida

A Red Sox outfielder who has been one of the team's most productive hitters lately, batting .333 with a .975 OPS over his last 17 games.

Caleb Durbin

A recent acquisition for the Red Sox who has struggled to find his footing with the team, prompting manager Alex Cora to bench him for Tuesday's game.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa

A veteran utility player for the Red Sox who will get the start at third base in place of the struggling Durbin.

Jacob Misiorowski

The Brewers' starting pitcher, who has been one of the top pitchers in the National League so far this season.

Garrett Crochet

The Red Sox's starting pitcher, a left-hander who will look to match Misiorowski and help the team snap their three-game losing streak.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to get our offense going, and that means making some tough decisions. Masataka and Caleb are both talented players, but we need to try something different to spark the team.”

— Alex Cora, Red Sox Manager

What’s next

The Red Sox will look to bounce back from their three-game losing streak and improve to 3-8 on the season when they take on the Brewers on Tuesday night. The game will be a battle of aces, with Garrett Crochet taking the mound for Boston and Jacob Misiorowski starting for Milwaukee.

The takeaway

The Red Sox's decision to bench two of their key offensive players in Masataka Yoshida and Caleb Durbin against the Brewers' ace Jacob Misiorowski is a risky move, but one that manager Alex Cora hopes will provide a much-needed spark for the struggling team. The Red Sox need to find a way to get their offense going, and this lineup change could be the catalyst they need to snap their three-game losing streak.