Andrew Benintendi Not Starting Friday's World Series Game

One of the more popular Red Sox heroes of this World Series run will start Friday night's Game 3 on the bench. Andrew Benintendi will sit as J.D. Martinez starts in left field, according to the lineup card posted shortly before 5 p.m.

Martinez is usually the team's designated hitter, but there is no DH in the National League, so the Sox are getting creative for Games 3, 4, and potentially 5 in Los Angeles.

Martinez's availability for the field was in question due to an ankle injury he suffered in Game 1. He has played 57 games in the outfield for Boston this season, 32 of them in left field.

The move weakens the Sox outfield defense, which has become a hallmark of their success. All three outfielders - including Benintendi - were recently announced as Gold Glove finalists.

Benintendi had four hits in Game 1 of the World Series, but his catch to save a game in the ALCS in New York and his leaping ballet-like catch in Game 2 of the World Series have quickly become the stuff of legend.

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