The Red Sox have found the Indians to be a finicky club over their four-game series, with Cleveland pulling out two victories despite Boston's need to make a serious move in the win column.
The Red Sox will have their best chance at success on Sunday, though, as they face right-handed rookie Corey Kluber (0-0, 6.10 ERA), who has made just two starts this year after being called up in early August. Kluber gave up six runs his first time out but allowed just one earned run in his last start. He was 11-7 with a 3.59 ERA in 21 starts in Triple-A Columbus.
Jon Lester (6-10, 5.36) will aim to provide a respite Sunday from his season to forget. He's had pretty good success against the Indians in the past, going 4-1 with a 3.53 ERA in 10 starts against Cleveland. Last year, he faced the Indians twice, going seven and six innings with no earned runs both times and 16 strikeouts altogether.
Few Indians have been able to get to Lester, with Jack Hannah (6-for-14), Lou Marson (3-for-9) and Jason Donald (3-for-6) the most successful.
For Boston, Danny Valencia will be playing third as Will Middlebrooks begins his recovery from a broken right wrist. Cody Ross, who has been steaming at the plate lately, will play right field, and Kelly Shoppach is catching, freeing up Jarrod Saltalamacchia to take the designated hitter spot.
With Middlebrooks landing on the disabled list, the Red Sox have now had 25 players on the DL this season — the most by any team since 1987, according to STATS.
Here are the complete lineups for Sunday:
Red Sox (56-59)
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Carl Crawford LF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Adrian Gonzalez 1B
Cody Ross RF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia DH
Mike Aviles SS
Danny Valencia 3B
Kelly Shoppach C
Jon Lester P
Indians (53-61)
Jason Donald 2B
Asdrubal Cabrera DH
Shin-Soo Choo RF
Carlos Santana 1B
Shelley Duncan LF
Brent Lillibridge SS
Lou Marson C
Jack Hannahan 3B
Ezequiel Carrera CF
Corey Kluber P
