The Boston Red Sox have played up and down baseball all season long, but the one constant since May 15 has been that Brock Holt has been in the lineup. That will change on Wednesday night in Toronto.
For the first time in more than two months, Holt will get the night off, as he’s not in the lineup against the Blue Jays. Holt is coming off an 0-for-4 showing in Boston’s 7-3 loss to the Jays on Tuesday night. It’s also the first time since late May that anyone but Holt has led off for the Sox.
Holt will be replaced atop the Red Sox batting order by Shane Victorino. The veteran outfielder will hit leadoff and play right field. Meanwhile, Jackie Bradley Jr. is back in the lineup after getting the night off Tuesday.
Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is in the lineup, and he’s trying to break out of a nasty slump. He’s hitless since the All-Star break, and it won’t get any easier against Toronto starter R.A. Dickey. Pedroia is just a .133 (2-for-15) career hitter against the knuckleballer with a lone RBI. Designated hitter David Ortiz is the opposite, though, as he’s hitting .333 (4-for-12) against Dickey with a home run.
Right-hander Clay Buchholz will start on the mound for the Red Sox. His career 1.72 ERA at Rogers Centre is the lowest among active pitchers with at least 10 starts there.
Below are the lineups for both clubs.
Red Sox (47-53)
Shane Victorino, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Daniel Nava, LF
Xander Bogaerts, 3B
Stephen Drew, SS
Christian Vazquez, C
Jackie Bradley, CF
Clay Buchholz, P
Blue Jays (52-49)
Jose Reyes, SS
Melky Cabrera, LF
Jose Bautista, 1B
Dioner Navarro, DH
Colby Rasmus, C
Munenori Kawasaki, 3B
Josh Thole, C
Ryan Goins, 2B
Anthony Gose, RF
R.A. Dickey, P
