After a nine-day absence, Jacoby Ellsbury makes his grand return to the Red Sox on Saturday night.
What kept Ellsbury out is still unclear, although Bobby Valentine referred to it as a "little situation" over a week ago.
Ellsbury was on a tear before his absence, hitting .309 with a .768 OPS and two home runs in September. Ellsbury's return could mean bad news for the Orioles, who are still battling for the top spot in the American League East.
The Orioles are tied with the Athletics for the top spot, although the Angels and Rays are looming, back two and three games, respectively.
Mike Aviles also returns to the Red Sox lineup, his last appearance coming last Saturday against the Orioles. Aviles has been passed over recently to get rookie Jose Iglesias more at-bats.
Orioles starter Steve Johnson has been a welcome surprise this year. He has a 1.62 ERA in three starts and eight relief appearances. Johnson has an impressive strikeout rate, punching out 43 batters in 33 1/3 innings. The rookie faced the Red Sox once this season, striking out three in two one-hit innings.
Check out the lineups for both clubs below:
Red Sox (69-88)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Scott Podsednik, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Cody Ross, RF
Mauro Gomez, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Ryan Lavarnway, DH
Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
Mike Aviles, SS
Felix Doubront, P
Orioles (98-67)
Nate McLouth, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Adam Jones, CF
Matt Wieters, C
Chris Davis, RF
Mark Reynolds, 1B
Manny Machado, 3B
Lew Ford, DH
Robert Andino, 2B
Steve Johnson, P
