The Red Sox are a win away from sweeping the Seattle Mariners, and manager Terry Francona has decided to stick with mostly the same lineup he's thrown out there during the first two games of the series.
Batting leadoff will be Jacoby Ellsbury, who continued his red-hot July with another multi-hit game Saturday. The center fielder is batting .400 this month with seven home runs, 17 RBI, and 18 runs scored.
Ellsbury's batting average ranks second this month to teammate Dustin Pedroia, who's hitting .416 amid a 20-game hitting streak. The second baseman has also reached base in 32 straight games, dating back to June 14.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia will resume his role behind the plate, as captain Jason Varitek caught Josh Beckett on Saturday. After a solid June, Sox catchers are struggling a bit in July, hitting a combined .212 with three home runs and nine RBI.
Salty will be catching for Tim Wakefield, who has not lost yet in July. Wakefield only made it through 4 2/3 innings in his last start against Baltimore. The 44-year-old allowed seven runs, but only three earned. Saltalamacchia has caught in 11 of Wake's 12 starts this season.
The 'stache himself, Eric Wedge, made a couple changes to the Seattle lineup for the series finale. Miguel Olivo will be back behind the plate while struggling infielder Chone Figgins will get the start at third. Rookie phenom Michael Pineda will be toeing the rubber for the Mariners.
Here are the lineups for Sunday's finale.
Ichiro Suzuki, RF
Brendan Ryan, SS
Dustin Ackley, 2B
Miguel Olivo, C
Justin Smoak, 1B
Mike Carp, LF
Franklin Gutierrez, CF
Jack Cust, DH
Chone Figgins, 3B
