The Red Sox’ lineup will have a new look Monday night as the team begins a three-game series against the Blue Jays in Buffalo. Looking for an offensive spark after losing six of eight games, manager Alex Cora has shuffled the batting order.

Kiké Hernandez will still bat leadoff, but Alex Verdugo drops from the second spot to sixth. Verdugo has hit second in all 82 of his starts so far this season. The lefty has just one hit in his last 16 at-bats, and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts Sunday night against the Yankees.

Taking Verdugo’s spot in the batting order will be Jarren Duran, who is making his third major league start. He hit sixth and seventh in his first two starts, but given his player profile projects as a long-term top-of-the-order bat. The lefty is 1-for-6 to start his career.

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  Changes continue after Verdugo and Duran. Xander Bogaerts moves from cleanup to the third spot, and Rafael Devers slots behind him hitting cleanup. Meanwhile, J.D. Martinez drops from third to fifth. This will be the first time Martinez is placed out of the top four spots in the starting lineup since joining the Red Sox in 2018.
  
  Rounding out the lineup for the Red Sox will be Hunter Renfroe, Danny Santana, and Kevin Plawecki. Santana was activated from the IL earlier in the day, replacing Christian Arroyo, who suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday night's loss.
  
  The Red Sox will be counting on the lineup changes to jumpstart the offensive, which has been cold since before the All-Star Break. Since Saturday, July 10 the Red Sox have averaged just 2.4 runs per game. That's less than half of their season average leading up to that point, which was 5.15 runs per game and ranked top-five in baseball.

MORE: Who will the Red Sox target at the trade deadline?

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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