The Red Sox begin their final homestand of the season on Friday night, and the 9-game stretch kicks off with a three-game tilt against the Yankees.
After failing to pull off the sweep in Tampa, Boston returns home in hopes of capturing their 90th win of the season in front of the Fenway Faithful. It was a successful series, nonetheless, and one in which the Red Sox’ bats (once again) came through in clutch situations.
One of those bats belongs to Mike Carp, who drilled a pinch-hit grand slam in the 10th inning on Wednesday, leading the Sox to yet another late-inning comeback victory. Carp’s offensive abilities are being rewarded tonight as the Sox take on Hiroki Kuroda, and the first baseman will be batting cleanup. Jonny Gomes will be getting the night off as Daniel Nava will take over the duties in left field and bat second.
John Lackey will take the mound for the Red Sox, looking to shut down the Yankees who have just taken three of four from the Orioles, and find themselves one game behind the Rays for the second AL wild card spot.
Check out the rest of the lineups below.
Boston Red Sox (89-59)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Shane Victorino, RF
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Carp, 1B
Daniel Nava, LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Stephen Drew, SS
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jackie Bradley, CF
John Lackey, P
New York Yankees (79-68)
Curtis Granderson, CF
Alex Rodriguez, DH
Robinson Cano, 2B
Alfonso Soriano, LF
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Eduardo Nunez, 3B
Ichiro Suzuki, RF
Brendan Ryan, SS
Chris Stewart, C
Hiroki Kuroda, P
