Boston Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew was supposed to help a team that has struggled against right-handed pitching. With right-hander Bud Norris on the mound for the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night, it seemed like a sure thing that Drew would be in the lineup.
However, Jonathan Herrera has been penciled in at shortstop and will hit eighth while Drew will be on the bench to begin the game.
The Sox are still easing Drew back into the lineup after the veteran recently re-signed. Drew has struggled mightily since returning to the club. He’s just 1-for-14 in four games. Still, it’s a curious decision to sit him down Monday night against the right-handed Norris, a pitcher Drew has had success against in the past. Drew is .462 (6-for-13) for his career against Drew with three RBIs. Meanwhile, Herrera is 1-for-11 in his career against Norris.
Brock Holt is back in left field and leading off for Boston. He’s hitting .421 (16-for-38) during his eight-game hitting streak and had his second four-hit game of the season on Sunday night. Holt’s .350 (28-for-80) batting average from the leadoff spot is the best in baseball among players with at least 50 plate appearances.
Here are the lineups for both clubs.
Red Sox
Brock Holt, LF
Xander Bogaerts, 3B
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Daniel Nava, RF
Grady Sizemore, CF
Jonathan Herrera, SS
David Ross, C
Jake Peavy, P
Orioles
Nick Markakis, RF
Manny Machado, 3B
Adam Jones, DH
Chris Davis, 1B
Nelson Cruz, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
David Lough, CF
Caleb Joseph, C
Ryan Flaherty, 2B
Bud Norris, P
