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I’m not saying this is the route we’re going, but probably we will.”', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cma9uxmov001m357rozc3r8cf@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'For a team that has scored among the most runs per game in baseball over its first 35 games this season (5.0 runs per game, sixth in MLB), they’ve struggled at times with that offense coming both consistently and in clutch late-game situations.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cma9uxmpt001n357ramvultnt@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'With Campbell’s even-keeled personality, .301 batting average and .407 on base percentage, it’s not an outlandish idea to give the rookie a chance to fill this role for a just-above .500 team (18-17) with championship aspirations.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cma9uxmqr001o357rf7s1q0pc@published'}, {'data': {'url': 'https://twitter.com/yaboiTCfresh/status/1919053690998001919', 'html': '<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Alex Cora was asked pregame about Kristian Campbell batting cleanup for the first time in his big league career after missing the last three games with rib discomfort:<br><br>“Just trying something different. Putting all those at bats together, I think it’s gonna help. I’m not saying… <a href="https://t.co/4I96p6rgi5">pic.twitter.com/4I96p6rgi5</a></p>— Tom Carroll (@yaboiTCfresh) <a href="https://twitter.com/yaboiTCfresh/status/1919053690998001919?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2025</a></blockquote>\n\n', 'showMedia': True, 'showThread': True, 'componentVariation': 'tweet'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/tweet/instances/cma9uykcv002a357rdrqnvkqk@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'And with first baseman Triston Casas’ bat no longer an option for the 2025 season after <a href="https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/red-sox/casas-placed-on-10-day-il-with-left-patellar-tendon-rupture">rupturing his left patellar tendon in the second inning on Friday</a>, giving Campbell the opportunity to help generate even more offense could be the antidote Boston has been looking for in the heart of their lineup.', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cma9uxms3001p357rt0ua8ofn@published'}, {'data': {'text': 'Here’s the rest of Boston’s batting order for Sunday vs. Minnesota:', '_version': 2, 'componentVariation': 'paragraph'}, 'original_ref': 'www.audacy.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cma9uxmt9001q357rhe8tkhgo@published'}, {'data': {'text': '<strong>1. 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Red Sox

Kristian Campbell makes debut as Red Sox cleanup hitter on Sunday

By Tom Carroll May 04, 2025

On Sunday, Red Sox star rookie second baseman Kristian Campbell made his return to the lineup after missing three games with rib discomfort.

And when the team announced Sunday’s batting order against the Twins (14-20), it showed the 22-year-old’s name in the cleanup spot for the first time in his 30-game big league career.

“Just trying something different,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora told the media pregame. “Putting all those at bats together, I think it’s gonna help. I’m not saying this is the route we’re going, but probably we will.”

For a team that has scored among the most runs per game in baseball over its first 35 games this season (5.0 runs per game, sixth in MLB), they’ve struggled at times with that offense coming both consistently and in clutch late-game situations.

With Campbell’s even-keeled personality, .301 batting average and .407 on base percentage, it’s not an outlandish idea to give the rookie a chance to fill this role for a just-above .500 team (18-17) with championship aspirations.

And with first baseman Triston Casas’ bat no longer an option for the 2025 season after rupturing his left patellar tendon in the second inning on Friday, giving Campbell the opportunity to help generate even more offense could be the antidote Boston has been looking for in the heart of their lineup.

Here’s the rest of Boston’s batting order for Sunday vs. Minnesota:

1. Jarren Duran, LF
2. Rafael Devers, DH
3. Alex Bregman, 3B
4. Kristian Campbell, 2B
5. Wilyer Abreu, RF
6. Romy Gonzalez, 1B
7. David Hamilton, SS
8. Carlos Narvaez, C
9. Ceddanne Rafaela, CF

TORONTO, ON - April 29: Boston Red Socks Second Baseman Kristian Campbell (28) celebrates his home run in the third inning in the Boston Red Socks team dugout during the MLB regular season game between the Boston Red Socks and the Toronto Blue Jays on April 29, 2025 at Rogers Center in Toronto, ON.Gavin Napier/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Sox will try to win their series with Minnesota on Sunday with Garrett Crochet (3-2, 2.05 ERA) on the mound, with Chris Paddack (0-3, 5.60 ERA) getting the start for the Twins. First pitch at Fenway Park is set for 1:35 p.m. ET.

WEEI and WEEI.com are your home for Red Sox baseball all season long. Hear every single game of the 2025 season on 93.7 WEEI-FM in Boston and across the WEEI Shaw's Star Market Red Sox Radio Network.

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