Game 45: Red Sox at Braves lineups and notes

Sport admin May 16, 2026 0 Comments

Game 45: Red Sox at Braves lineups and notes

After dropping the series opener in Atlanta, the Red Sox will be back in action Saturday night, looking to snap a two-game losing streak when they take on the Braves.

The Sox actually rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force extra innings Friday night on Marcelo Mayer’s home run in the seventh inning, but Mike Yastrzemski drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 10th as the Sox lost 3-2 to fall eight games below .500.

“It’s just gratifying. The hard work will eventually pay off,” said Yastrzemski. “You’ve just got to keep fighting through it, trust the process, trust the hitting coaches, trust yourself, most importantly.”

Payton Tolle will face the Braves for the first time in his young career when he takes the mound at Truist Park Saturday night. Atlanta will counter with Bryce Elder.

Here is a preview.

Lineups

RED SOX (18-26): TBA

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Pitching: LHP Payton Tolle (1-2, 1.99 ERA)

BRAVES (31-14): TBA

Pitching: RHP Bryce Elder (4-1, 1.81 ERA)

Time: 7:15 p.m.

TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7

Red Sox vs. Elder: Wilyer Abreu 0-3, Willson Contreras 3-9, Jarren Duran 0-3, Isiah Kiner-Falefa 0-3, Marcelo Mayer 0-2, Andruw Monasterio 0-6, Ceddanne Rafaela 1-2, Trevor Story 2-2, Connor Wong 0-2

Braves vs. Tolle: Has not faced any Atlanta batters

Stat of the day: The Red Sox have allowed two or fewer earned runs in nine of their 13 games in May.

Notes: Tolle began the month with a one-hit performance over seven innings in a 5-4 win over the Tigers but took the 4-1 loss to the Rays on Sunday after he allowed three runs on seven hits across five frames. … Friday’s loss dropped the Sox to 3-6 in one-run games this season. Two losses in an 11-game span have come in extra innings. … Atlanta’s 63 homers lead the National League. … Elder made his first career start against the Red Sox on June 1 of last season, allowing three runs on six hits in 5⅓ innings. … He has allowed just three runs in his last 17⅔ innings and his 1.81 ERA leads the National League.