The Boston Red Sox will look to win the series against the St. Louis Cardinals in the finale at Busch Stadium Thursday night — weather permitting, of course.
If the rain somehow holds off, the Red Sox will be trotting out a different look from Wednesday night’s win. A number of players will return to the lineup against right-hander Adam Wainwright, as David Ortiz will take over at first base and bat third with Mike Napoli getting the night off, and Will Middlebrooks will get the start at third base while Brock Holt will shift to right field.
Jackie Bradley Jr., who didn’t start in the first two games of the series, will get the nod in center field, while Daniel Nava sits.
Brandon Workman, who has three relief appearances in the 2013 World Series against the Cards under his belt, will get the start on the mound against Wainwright. The Cardinals ace has struggled somewhat since the All-Star break, recording two poor starts in his last three outings.
Wainwright was tagged for four runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings of work against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 22, and he surrendered seven runs on nine hits and three walks in a 7-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 1.
Check out both teams’ full lineups below.
Boston Red Sox 50-63
Brock Holt, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, 1B
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Christian Vazquez, C
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Brandon Workman, RHP (1-4, 4.08 ERA)
St. Louis Cardinals 60-52
Matt Carpenter, 3B
Kolten Wong, 2B
Matt Holliday, LF
Matt Adams, 1B
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Oscar Taveras, RF
Jon Jay, CF
Tony Cruz, C
Adam Wainwright, RHP (13-6, 2.26)
UPDATE, 7:40 p.m. ET: David Ortiz was scratched from the Red Sox’s lineup during a rain delay in St. Louis. The decision was made because of the wet conditions. He’ll be available off the bench.
Mike Napoli now will play first base and bat cleanup. Yoenis Cespedes will slide up into the No. 3 hole.
Here’s the new Red Sox lineup.
Boston Red Sox (50-63)
Brock Holt, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Christian Vazquez, C
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Brandon Workman, RHP (1-4, 4.08 ERA)
