In dire need of a spark, Alex Cora makes counterintuitive move by hitting Caleb Durbin second in the Red Sox lineup

ST. LOUIS — In search of one thing, something, that would spark the Red Sox’ sluggish — not slugging — lineup, supervisor Alex Cora have you ever tried one thing new this weekend: Caleb Durbin in the No. 2 spot.

That is a tad unorthodox by a fashionable baseball lens, with groups usually placing a excellent hitter, perhaps their greatest, in that spot to attempt to optimize their scoring probabilities. Already this yr, for instance, the Sox have confronted the Astros’ Yordan Alvarezthe Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr.and the Brewers’ William Contreras as the second batter of the recreation. Aaron Judge slots in there for the Yankees.

Cora has been experimenting since dropping Trevor Story in the order at the begin of the week. Masataka Yoshida, Jarren Duranand Andruw Monastery bought a recreation every. Durbin, together with his high-contact, low-strikeout profile, had his second in a row Saturday night time in opposition to the Cardinals.

“He’s not chasing,” Cora mentioned. “When you start doing that, good things are going to happen, and that’s the reason he’s hitting second.”

Durbin entered Saturday mired in a season-opening stoop: a .103 common with twice as many strikeouts (eight) as hits (4). His .186 on-base share was tied for fourth-worst amongst certified hitters in the majors. Story was worse at .136.

But Durbin had struck out simply 19 p.c of the time, higher than all of the Sox’ regulars aside from Ceddanne Rafaela (18 p.c). He has been equally efficient at not swinging at pitches exterior the strike zone and at not lacking when he does swing.

An elementary feat central to the Red Sox’ path again from a dire offensive scenario: swinging at strikes.

“It’s what we need to do. We have to control the strike zone, we have to take our walks when they pitch around you,” Cora mentioned. “That’s how good things start happening. . . . To get going offensively, you have to chase less. Keep it simple. But obviously that guy on the mound is trying to do a job too. It’s not that easy.

“Durbin, in the Milwaukee sequence, did not chase one pitch. And [Friday]though the outcomes weren’t there, the strategy was good.”

Roman Anthony returned to the lineup Saturday — however was the designated hitter once more.

He performed left area in 4 of the Sox’ first 5 video games.

Since then, amid his points with throwing, he has began in left in simply two of 9 contests.

“It’s not easy, the moving parts, but we’re making it work,” Cora mentioned. “Most likely he’ll play left field [Sunday]. We’ll see what we do in Minnesota. This is a day-to-day thing. . . . There’s no science behind it.”

For now, Triston Casas is shut down indefinitely with what the Red Sox take into account an indirect downside.

But they’re additionally checking with a physician who handled the first baseman’s torn rib cartilage in 2024 to make certain that this is not associated, per Cora.

“He’s going to be out for a while, but still waiting for news from the doctor,” Cora mentioned.

Kutter Crawford’s first recreation since 2024 did not yield constructive outcomes — 5 runs and 6 hits in three innings for Triple-A Worcester — however in Cora’s view, that wasn’t the level.

“Like I told him today, enjoy the day,” Cora mentioned at Busch Stadium shortly after Crawford took the mound at Polar Park. “That’s the most important thing. It doesn’t matter. It’s not about results. It’s not about velocity or the shapes of the pitches. It’s about him being able to compete.

“The line may be excellent or horrible, however the undeniable fact that he is on the mound, it means a lot to him and his household and clearly to the group, the coaching workers. They labored very exhausting to get thus far. And lastly, he is capable of go on the market.”

Crawford missed all of 2025 because of knee and wrist injuries.

Isiah Kiner-Falefawho totaled 12 plate appearances in the Red Sox’ first 13 games, said he is comfortable bidding his time in a backup infield gig (which has been more like a backup-backup role so far). “I’ve been in this role before,” he said. “And though I’m not taking part in, I’m nonetheless prepared. I’m all the time prepared.” . . More very important journalism on the Red Sox’ new T-shirts depicting Wilson Contreras as Bowser: Although Contreras cited Story as the Boston teammate who first started calling him Bowser, Story said he heard it from Nick Sogard during spring training. Why? “Look at him,” Story said. “Strong as hell.”

Tim Healey may be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com. comply with him @timbhealey.