BOSTON — The Red Sox’s lineup Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays is a far cry from the one put forth on Opening Day.
Jonathan Herrera will fill in for an injured Dustin Pedroia at second base and bat ninth. He’ll bookend a shuffled lineup that will feature three left-handed hitters in the meat of the order.
Catcher A.J. Pierzynski will bat third for the first time this season. He’ll precede David Ortiz and Mike Carp, who once again gets the nod at first base in Mike Napoli’s absence. Jonny Gomes will start in left field despite Boston going up against a right-hander in Jake Odorizzi.
Pierzynski, who delivered the game-winning hit in the 10th inning of Friday’s 3-2 victory, is batting .400 (16-for-40) over the course of a nine-game hit streak. The streak is his longest since a 16-gamer in the summer of 2012.
Brock Holt will bat leadoff in front of the red-hot Xander Bogaerts. Red Sox manager John Farrell said before Saturday’s game that Holt will try out some outfield and first base during early work in the coming days in an effort to increase the infielder’s versatility.
Saturday’s complete lineups are below.
Boston Red Sox (25-29)
Brock Holt, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
A.J. Pierzynski, C
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Carp, 1B
Jonny Gomes, LF
Grady Sizemore, RF
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Jonathan Herrera, 2B
Rubby De La Rosa, RHP (0-0, — )
Tampa Bay Rays (23-32)
David DeJesus, DH
Ben Zobrist, SS
Matt Joyce, LF
Evan Longoria, 3B
James Loney, 1B
Desmond Jennings, CF
Kevin Kiermaier, RF
Sean Rodriguez, 2B
Ali Solis, C
Jake Odorizzi, RHP (2-4, 4.56 ERA)
