Sunday was supposed to be Jon Lester‘s turn in the Red Sox rotation, but his first start since the All-Star break was pushed back until Tuesday night in order to give the lefty some more time off.
Instead, it will be Ryan Dempster on the mound for Boston, as the team tries to take the rubber match of a three-game series against the Yankees.
Dempster is 5-8 this season with a 4.24 ERA and 104 strikeouts. He hasn’t factored in the decision of the last three games he started in.
Dempster will be opposed by New York ace CC Sabathia. Sabathia has a 9-8 record this season with a 4.07 ERA.
Sabathia will be facing a Red Sox lineup that has a few changes from Saturday’s 5-2 loss. Mike Napoli will be back at first base after Mike Carp took over on Saturday, and Shane Victorino will be in right field. Daniel Nava, who played in right on Saturday will also get the night off, and Jonny Gomes will stay in left field. The Yankees, meanwhile, will send out the same exact lineup.
A Boston loss on Sunday would mean that the red-hot Rays would only be a half game out of first place, so there is plenty riding on this one at Fenway Park.
Check out the lineups for both teams below.
Boston Red Sox (59-40)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Shane Victorino, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Jonny Gomes, LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Stephen Drew, SS
Jose Iglesias, 3B
Ryan Dempster, RHP
New York Yankees (52-45)
Brett Gardner, CF
Ichiro Suzuki, RF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Vernon Wells, LF
Travis Hafner, DH
Eduardo Nunez, SS
Chris Stewart, C
Luis Cruz, 3B
CC Sabathia, LHP
