Aside from Jarrod Saltalamacchia returning to the lineup to catch Jon Lester, there are no changes in the Red Sox batting order for Thursday's series finale in Cleveland.
Saltalamacchia started the first four games of the season before giving way to Jason Varitek in Wednesday's 8-4 loss. Saltalamacchia enters this one just 1-for-11 with an RBI but is 3-for-8 with a pair of doubles and a walk against Indians starter Fausto Carmona.
There was a thought that Jed Lowrie would get a start at shortstop for the struggling Marco Scutaro, who had an infield hit Wednesday but is just 1-for-15 this year. However, Scutaro is 11-for-25 (.440) with four doubles and a walk against Carmona.
Jacoby Ellsbury is batting leadoff for the sixth straight time to start the year. He is followed by Carl Crawford and Dustin Pedroia, an order manager Terry Francona has utilized for three straight games.
Adrian Gonzalez, whose two-run homer was one of the bright spots in the 8-4 loss, bats cleanup. He has yet to face Carmona, who is 2-3 with a 4.25 ERA vs. Boston.
Here is the complete batting order for both teams:
Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Carl Crawford, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
J.D. Drew, RF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Marco Scutaro, SS
Indians
Orlando Cabrera, 2B
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
Shin-Soo Choo, RF
Carlos Santana, C
Shelley Duncan, DH
Austin Kearns, LF
Matt LaPorta, 1B
Travis Buck, CF
Adam Everett, 3B
