The Boston Red Sox have not boasted a record of .500 or better since the fourth game of this season — a slump they’ll look to end Wednesday night at Fenway Park.
The Sox sit at 16-17 entering the final game of a brief, two-game series with the Cincinnati Reds after walking off with a 12-inning win in Game 1 on Tuesday.
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts in the 4-3 win, and he’ll start Wednesday’s matchup on the bench. Jonathan Herrera will start at short and bat ninth against Reds starter Mike Leake.
Jake Peavy gets the start on the mound for the Red Sox. Peavy allowed just two runs over 6 1/3 innings in his last outing, but he struggled with command, issuing a season-high five walks in a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Check out the full lineups for both teams below.
Boston Red Sox (16-17)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Shane Victorino, RF
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Grady Sizemore, LF
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Jonathan Herrera, SS
Jake Peavy, RHP (1-1, 2.87 ERA)
Cincinnati Reds (15-17)
Skip Schumaker, CF
Joey Votto, 1B
Brandon Phillips, 2B
Todd Frazier, 3B
Brayan Pena, C
Ryan Ludwick, DH
Roger Bernadina, RF
Chris Heisey, LF
Zack Cozart, SS
Mike Leake, RHP (2-3, 3.53 ERA)
