Lineup changes pay off for Red Sox in Game 3 of ALDS against Yankees

Alex Cora’s Game 3 changes to the Red Sox lineup weren’t so much tweaks as they were a lower-half overhaul. And it worked better than anybody could have reasonably expected.

As the ALDS shifted to Yankee Stadium on Monday, Core, Boston’s manager opted for Rafael Devers at third, Brock Holt at second and Christian Vazquez at catcher. They combined for one at-bat in the series’ opening pair of games in Boston. Moving to the bench were Eduardo Nunez (0-for-7 in the first two games), Ian Kinsler (2-for-8) and Sandy Leon (0-for-5).

The new trio terrorized Yankees pitching, especially as the Red Sox blew the game open with a seven-run fourth.

Holt had had two hits, including a two-run triple, during the big frame. Only the first of those — a line-drive single to center to get the rally started — came against Yankees starter Luis Severino, the reason Holt was in the game.

“The way Brock was swinging the bat, we do feel he can put good at-bats against him,” Cora said Monday afternoon.

The Devers decision also paid off. In the second, he rocketed a single to right — hit so hard (115.7 mph) that it bounced off the wall and he had to hold at first — stole second base and scored from third when Vazquez singled off Severino’s glove with two outs for the game’s first run.

Vazquez also singled in the fourth against Severino, who remained in the game until he walked Jackie Bradley Jr. to load the bases with nobody out.

“With Christian, we feel like offensively he can do a few things in the bottom of the lineup that can help us win a ball game,” Cora said.

All told, as the Red Sox scored 10 runs in four innings, Devers (batting fifth), Holt (seventh) and Vazquez (eighth) combined to go 5-for-9 with four RBIs and three runs scored.

As for Nunez and Kinsler, well, Cora said they understood being benched.

“Their mentality is, ‘Hey, man, whatever it takes,’” Cora said. “As a manager, you feel like you have to call him and let him know, and I did (Sunday) night, and (Kinsler was) like, ‘Thank you for the phone call, but it wasn't needed. We understand what we're trying to accomplish, and if you need Brock to play and me to sit, I'll be ready to come in and play defense or run or whatever I have to do.’ And Eduardo, same thing.”