BOSTON -- Struggling veteran Alex Bregman is batting third in Boston's lineup Wednesday.

The Red Sox and Athletics will play the second game of their three-game series at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday at Fenway Park. The A's won 2-1 on Tuesday.

This is just Bregman's third time hitting third in 52 starts since returning from a right quad strain on July 11 that sidelined him for 43 games. All his other starts have come in the two-hole.

Bregman has only 14 hits in his past 89 at-bats (.157) in 22 games dating back to Aug. 23.

He hit in the No. 3 spot more than the No. 2 spot before his injury because Rafael Devers began the year in the two hole. Overall, Bregman has produced better stats in the three hole (.293/.379/.537/.915, 235 plate appearances) than in the two hole (.249/.327/.378/.705, 217 plate appearances) this season.

Athletics righty Mason Barnett (1-1, 8.53 ERA) will start opposite Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito (10-4, 3.31 ERA).

Shortstop Trevor Story will bat second. DH Masataka Yoshida will hit cleanup.

Both right-handed hitters, Romy Gonzalez and Rob Refsnyder, are in the starting lineup. Gonzalez is hitting fifth and playing second. Refsnyder is batting sixth and playing right field.