With October quite near, last night’s Red Sox lineup was about as encouraging as it could be at this point in the season.
Mookie Betts was back in right field after missing two games with left wrist inflammation. Dustin Pedroia was back at second base, his left knee feeling good enough to play two games in a row. Hanley Ramirez was back at designated hitter, the first time since the first week of September that his nagging shoulders let him start four days straight.
It’s a lineup full of regulars, a sign of improved health, and an indication that the Red Sox intend to go all-out as long as it takes to clinch the AL East.