The Red Sox have played their last seven games against a pair of last-place teams (Houston and Toronto) and handled them with relative ease, going 6-1 over the two series. That respite ends Friday night, when the Sox travel to Arlington to take on the AL West-leading Texas Rangers.
Shane Victorino makes his return in right field for Boston after missing seven games with a back injury, and he’ll attempt to recreate the production that his replacement, Daniel Nava, has put up in his absence. Nava, meanwhile, will start the game on the bench — his first off night in nearly three weeks.
Friday will also mark former Ranger Mike Napoli‘s first trip back to Texas since being acquired by the Red Sox this past offseason. Napoli has been on an absolute tear this season, leading the majors with 31 RBIs, tying for the team lead with six home runs and more than doubling the nearest Red Sox hitter with 15 doubles.
Check out the full starting lineups below.
Boston Red Sox (20-8)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Shane Victorino, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Jonny Gomes, LF
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Pedro Ciriaco, SS
Felix Doubront, LHP
Texas Rangers (17-11)
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Elvis Andrus, SS
Lance Berkman, DH
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Nelson Cruz, RF
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Jeff Baker, LF
Mitch Moreland, 1B
Craig Gentry, CF
Derek Holland, LHP
