They say you can’t have good pitching without good defense, and Allen Webster might put that mantra to the test on Wednesday with Pedro Ciriaco manning the hot corner.
Ciriaco could be seeing some increased playing time at third base in the coming days and, after a shaky defensive performance on Tuesday night against the Twins, will certainly be the focus of some scrutiny as he subs in for the injured Will Middlebrooks on a rainy night Wednesday. Middlebrooks and catcher David Ross will have the night off to start against Minnesota one day removed from colliding into each other in pursuit of a foul ball.
While the prognosis for both players seems positive, the Red Sox will play Ciriaco at third and Jarrod Saltalamacchia behind the plate for Webster’s second career major league start. He pitched six strong innings in his debut on April 21 against the Royals while allowing two runs and striking out five. He’ll get his second taste of the bigs against another American League Central team on Wednesday.
Check out the starting lineups for both teams below.
Boston Red Sox (21-12)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Shane Victorino, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Jonny Gomes, LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Stephen Drew, SS
Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
Allen Webster, SP
Minnesota Twins (14-15)
Jamey Carroll, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Josh Willingham, LF
Justin Morneau, 1B
Trevor Plouffe, 3B
Ryan Doumit, DH
Oswaldo Arcia, RF
Aaron Hicks, CF
Pedro Florimon, SS
Pedro Hernandez, SP
