The Sox are getting a familiar face back into the lineup with David Ortiz playing designated hitter and batting cleanup against James Shields and the Royals. Ortiz went 4-for-18 in six rehab starts in Pawtucket. He hit one home run and drove in four.
The Red Sox have gotten off to a hot start overall in 2013, but getting Ortiz back can only help Boston’s bats. The Sox currently rank seventh in the American League in batting average, sixth in OPS and 11th in home runs.
Shields has started 23 games against Boston. He’s 8-13 with a 4.56 ERA with 126 strikeouts in 144 innings.
Check out Saturday afternoon’s full lineups below.
Boston Red Sox (11-4)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Shane Victorino, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Daniel Nava, LF
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Stephen Drew, SS
David Ross. C
Clay Buchholz, RHP
Kansas City Royals (8-6)
Alex Gordon, LF
Alcides Escobar, SS
Billy Butler, DH
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Lorenzo Cain, CF
Mike Moustakas, 3B
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Salvador Perez, C
Chris Getz, 2B
James Shields, RHP
