The Boston Red Sox had one of their weakest offensive showings of the season on Thursday, and they’ll likely have their hands full on Friday night, too.
The Red Sox will open a three-game series with the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park, and Mariners ace Felix Hernandez will get the ball. One night after being one-hit by Matt Shoemaker and the Los Angeles Angels, the Sox now have to deal with the front-runner for the American League Cy Young award.
Hernandez will put a 13-4 record on the line after taking a tough-luck loss his last time out. Hernandez hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs since allowing four earned runs against Tampa Bay on May 12. Since then, he’s posted a 1.50 ERA and opponents are hitting just .173 against the righty.
The Red Sox will have Yoenis Cespedes back in the lineup after he left Thursday’s game because of a personal matter. David Ortiz is also back in after getting the night off in the series finale with the Halos.
Joe Kelly will get the start for the Red Sox. He’s looking to rebound after a brutal start last Sunday against the Houston Astros.
Here are the lineups for both clubs.
Red Sox (56-71)
Daniel Nava, 1B
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Allen Craig, RF
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Mookie Betts, CF
Christian Vazquez, C
Joe Kelly, P
Mariners (68-58)
