Shane Victorino and Jacoby Ellsbury will be coming in with battle scars, but they’ll be playing Monday afternoon against Detroit as the Tigers and Red Sox kick off a battle of marquee American League teams.
The Red Sox have the best record in the American League coming in, but the Tigers aren’t far behind. They’ll be playing without defending MVP Miguel Cabrera, though, as the slugger rests another game with a strained abdomen.
Ellsbury and Victorino, however, who are both dealing with ailments of their own, are batting No. 1 and 2, respectively, for the Sox. Both left Sunday’s game early after various injuries. Victorino, who has battled all kinds of pains all season, hurt his hip, hamstring and back again on a headfirst slide in the seventh inning. Ellsbury is dealing with a sore left thumb after getting jammed at the plate.
They’ll be in the lineup, though, as John Lackey (8-11, 3.19 ERA) looks to notch the win against righty Doug Fister (11-7, 3.81). Lackey has pitched very well all season but hasn’t had the wins to show for it, a situation Boston will look to remedy on Labor Day.
This game also marks the return of Jose Iglesias to Boston for the first time since he was traded in the Jake Peavy deal. He will play short and bat ninth for Detroit.
Here are the lineups for Monday’s game.
Boston Red Sox (82-56)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Shane Victorino, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Daniel Nava, LF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Stephen Drew, SS
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
John Lackey, P
Detroit Tigers (80-57)
Austin Jackson, CF
Torii Hunter, RF
Prince Fielder, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Andy Dirks, LF
Omar Infante, 2B
Don Kelly, 3B
Alex Avila, C
Jose Iglesias, SS
Doug Fister, P
