Stephen Drew has been waiting to forge his own legacy in Boston, and he’ll get his first chance starting Wednesday night.
While many Red Sox fans are eager to compare Stephen to his oft-injured brother, former Sox outfielder J.D. Drew, Stephen has insisted that he’ll make his own name. After being sidelined with a concussion in spring training, he has worked his way back to playing form and gets the start at shortstop Wednesday night against the Orioles, with Jose Iglesias being sent back to Triple-A.
Also back in the Red Sox lineup will be Jackie Bradley Jr., who got a breather in the Red Sox’ home opener Monday. In the six games he’s played this year, Bradley has batted just .143, but he has also drawn five walks while showing his ability in the field.
The Red Sox will be facing Jake Arrieta, who had a bumpy first start of the season. He went just five innings and allowed five earned runs on seven hits against the Twins. Arrieta has struggled throughout his career against the Red Sox. He comes into Fenway Park with an 0-3 record, 6.00 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in five appearances (four starts) against Boston, including going 0-1 with an 8.53 ERA at Fenway Park.
Dustin Pedroia is 4-for-11 in his career against Arrieta, and Jacoby Ellsbury (2-for-5), Daniel Nava (3-for-5), Mike Napoli (2-for-5), Will Middlebrooks (2-for-3) and Shane Victorino (3-for-3) have all gotten to the righty before, too.
That sets the table nicely for Ryan Dempster, who is looking to join what has been a solid start for Red Sox pitching. Dempster was uneven in his first go, getting bounced after five innings against the Yankees. While he struck out eight and gave up just five hits and three earned runs, he had trouble keeping his pitch count down in that outing.
Here are the lineups for Wednesday’s game.
Boston Red Sox (5-2)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Shane Victorina, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Daniel Nava, DH
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Stephen Drew, SS
Jackie Bradley Jr., LF
Ryan Dempster, P
Baltimore Orioles (3-4)
Nate McLouth, LF
Manny Machado, 3B
Nick Markakis, RF
Adam Jones, CF
Chris Davis, 1B
Matt Wieters, C
J.J. Hardy, SS
Ryan Flaherty, 2B
Nolan Reimold, DH
Jake Arrieta, P
